Osaka v Stephens Today At Indian Wells; Kyrgios, Korda, Brooksby Open Men’s Play
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Day two at the Indian Wells Masters features the big first round showdown between former US Open champion Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens.
Osaka, who won Indian Wells in 2018, is unseeded and ranked down to No. 78 after missing so much time the last year. The 2018 win was the first of her career.
“I don’t really live in the past anymore,” Osaka said. “I feel like that’s tough for me because I’m a perfectionist. There’s always that doubt in my head, ‘Will I ever be able to play like this?’
“But the players I’m playing against are changing and I feel like everyone is improving and I can’t necessarily say that I’ve regressed as a player. I think there are things that I’ve gotten much better at. I think life is a constant evolution.”
Stephens is back into the Top 40 at No. 38 following her recent title in Guadalajara, her first crown in almost four years.
Stephens has won both meetings against Osaka, but they haven’t played since the 2018 WTA Finals.
Former French semifinalist Amanda Anisimova, who stunned Osaka in the former No. 1’s last match at the Australian Open, is also in action as the first round wraps up for the women.
The men open their event with first round play from Nick Kyrgios, Sebastian Korda and Jenson Brooksby all on court.
The wildcard Kyrgios will meet the young Santiago finalist Sebastian Baez. Brooksby battles Roberto Carballes Baena while Korda collides with qualifier Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Yesterday in opening day play in the women’s draw, Americans were the story as Shelby Rogers, Clare Liu and Alison Riske were among the winners. Alja Tomljanovic, Petra Martic, Caroline Garcia also advance along with teen phenom Qinwen Zheng who ousted former champion Vera Zvonareva.
THURSDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 Starts At 11:00 Am
Mackenzie McDonald v Marton Fucsovics
Jenson Brooksby v Roberto Carballes Baena
Not Before 3:00 PM
Sloane Stephens v Naomi Osaka
Not Before 6:00 Pm
(WC) Nick Kyrgios v Sebastian Baez
Not Before 8:00 PM
Amanda Anisimova v (WC) Emma Navarro
STADIUM 2 Starts At 11:00 Am
(Q) Ashlyn Krueger v Yulia Putintseva
(Q) Daria Saville v Shuai Zhang
Juan Manuel Cerundolo v (WC) Jack Sock
Not Before 6:00 PM
Nuria Parrizas Diaz v Shelby Rogers
R128 Sebastian Korda v (Q) Thanasi Kokkinakis
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