Tomljanovic wins in 3 sets to open Indian Wells tournament

Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia beat American Hailey Baptiste 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in opening-round play at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday.

Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia overcame American Elvina Kaliera 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7) despite 18 double faults as the combined men's and women's event returned to its usual March place on the calendar after being disrupted by COVID-19.

Alison Riske routed Caty McNally 6-0, 6-3 in an all-American matchup.

Kaia Kanepi defeated 17-year-old American Robin Montgomery 6-3, 6-3. Montgomery, winner of the junior girls' singles and doubles titles at the 2021 U.S. Open, connected on 57% of her first serves but had nine double faults.

Other first-round winners were American Claire Liu, Petra Martic and Misaki Doi.

Ukrainian refugee Dayana Yastremska is facing Caroline Garcia of France. The 21-year-old fell just short in the Lyon Open final on Sunday after fleeing her home in war-torn Odessa following the Russian invasion.