It was a mixed day for the Australians in round one action at the Indian Wells tournament. Ajla Tomljanovic and Jordan Thompson notched up wins while Sam Stosur, Matt Ebden and John Millman all failed to advance from round one.
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Photo: Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) hits a backhand during the BNP Paribas Open on March 7, 2019 at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Tomljanovic was the first Australian to earn a win on day two when she accounted for France’s Alize Cornet in straight sets. The world no. 44 defeating world no. 52 Cornet 7-5, 6-3. Tomljanovic earned a break point in the opening game of the match and converted after Cornet hit into the net. The Australian consolidated the break before Cornet held serve then broke back for 2-2.
The Australian broke for a second time to lead 3-2. Cornet hit back with Tomljanovic serving at 3-4. The players held serve for 5-5 before Cornet was again broken to allow her opponent to serve for the set. Tomljanovic held serve for a 7-5 win.
In the second set, Tomljanovic broke in the third game to lead 2-1. The Australian broke again in the ninth game to wrap-up the match.
Thompson won a scrappy match against Argentine’s Federico Delbonis 6-4, 6-7(6), 7-6(5). By the end of the match the Australian was just pushing the ball back over and waiting for errors from his opponent, but that was enough to seal the win.
Matt Ebden lost two tie-breakers against 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic, 7-6(3), 7-6(3). John Millman was never in the hunt against Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff going down 6-1, 6-3.
It was a bad day for Stosur, she lost 6-2, 6-3 to USA’s Madison Brengle and then also lost in the doubles with her Australian Open championship partner Zhang Shuai. They lost 7-6(3), 7-5 to Kiki Bertens and Donna Vekic.
Qualifier Priscilla Hon had a quick exit from the main draw, she lost 6-1, 6-1 to Natalia Vikhlyantseva from Russia.
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