Mardy Fish highlights opening day at the Indian Wells men’s Thursday. The 33-year-old American is playing in his first singles match in 18 months since August 2013 at Winston-Salem.

Fish will meet countryman and wildcard Ryan Harrison.

A pair of talented teenagers – Borna Coric and Thanasi Kokkinakis – are also in action.

In first day player Wednesday, Sloane Stephens led a trio of Americans women to reach the third round. Alison Riske, Sachia Vickery and Irini Falconi were also winners.

Stephens outlasted Chanelle Scheepers 7-5, 7-5.

Heather Watson, Donna Vekic and Monica Niculescu also won. The unorthodox Niculescu will now face Serena Williams Friday night.

“I don’t really know what to expect because we haven’t played before,” Niculescu said after beating Aleksandra Krunic. “But obviously I know she has a lot of power, and I know I’m going to run a lot. I’m just going to play my game.

“She’s playing great and she wins this tournament every time. Hopefully I can play my best.”

Men’s seeds will open play on Saturday with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray expected to be on court.

THURSDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
CSTADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
ATP – [WC] T. Smyczek (USA) vs B. Becker (GER)
WTA – S. Rogers (USA) vs K. Flipkens (BEL)
ATP – [PR] M. Fish (USA) vs [WC] R. Harrison (USA)
WTA – D. Hantuchova (SVK) vs K. Koukalova (CZE)

Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA – [WC] B. Mattek-Sands (USA) vs [WC] T. Townsend (USA)

Not Before 8:30 pm
ATP – M. Baghdatis (CYP) vs J. Vesely (CZE)

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
ATP – M. Kukushkin (KAZ) vs V. Pospisil (CAN)
ATP – T. Gabashvili (RUS) vs J. Monaco (ARG)
WTA – P. Cetkovska (CZE) vs C. Mchale (USA)
WTA – [1] M. Hingis (SUI) / S. Mirza (IND) vs K. Pliskova (CZE) / M. Rybarikova (SVK)
ATP – J. Struff (GER) vs [WC] T. Kokkinakis (AUS)