3 minute read

Emma Raducanu reached the second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells with a straight sets win over Rebeka Masarova, but British number two Dan Evans crashed out.

The 21-year-old Briton, given a wild card at this tournament, set up a meeting with Ukraine's Dayana Yastremska as she got past Spanish qualifier Masarova 6-2 6-3 in an hour and 45 minutes.

Raducanu claimed the opening three games with a double break, then was broken herself in the fourth before hitting back to secure the first set.

The second set followed the same pattern across the first four games, with the 2021 US Open champion going a double break up and Masarova replying by breaking back.

Raducanu subsequently wrapped things up with another break of Masarova's serve, after her opponent had saved three match points, for her fourth win in eight matches in 2024.

She told Sky Sports: "Super important I think for me to get through that. I really think it's one of the trickiest tournaments conditions-wise to play because it varies so much. I think I dealt with that really well and overcame a really tough opponent who is dangerous in these conditions.

"I really enjoy playing in America, some of my best results have been here, so I am very happy to be back here playing. I really appreciate all the love I was receiving."

Meanwhile, Evans was left to rue a slow start as he went down 6-1 5-7 6-2 to Roman Safiullin in the first round.

The British number two struggled to find his footing in the opening set, giving up breaks in the second and fourth games before Safiullin wrapped up the set in just 27 minutes.

The second set threatened to unravel in similar fashion early when the Russian broke Evans in the third game, but the world number 45 was able to break straight back.

Both men matched each other game-for-game from there until the Briton snagged the crucial break in the 12th game to level the match at 1-1.

History repeated itself in the third set though, as Safiullin rode an early break to ultimately wrap up the three-set win in just under two hours.

Safiullin will face American 29th seed Sebastian Korda in the second round.