World No.3 Karolina Pliskova has crashed out of the BNP Paribas Open after falling in straight sets to Brazilian world No.115 Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Pliskova, who was the top seed in the tournament, fell 6-3, 7-5, to the underdog with both players struggling with the windy conditions in Indian Wells. It is only the second time the Czech has lost to a player ranked outside the top 100 this season after Anastasia Gasanova who beat her in Abu Dhabi back in January. In her latest match, Pliskova could only win 43% of her service points and produced 12 double faults which was partly due to the tricky conditions.
Maia, who has been ranked as high as 58th in the world, only managed to gain entry into the main draw with the help of a lucky loser place which became available. She reached one WTA final back in 2017 at the South Korean Open. More recently, she served a 10-month ban between 2019-2020 for a failed drugs test which was later linked to contaminated supplements she took.
“I’m very happy with my match today. It was a difficult day because it was windy and we certainly didn’t play at our best level of tennis. So it was a very emotional and mental game. Even when I lost my serve. I was trying to motivate myself and I think that worked today,” Maia told Tenis Brasil.
“We also studied her game a lot and this helped me to make great return games. The only point that leaves me unsatisfied is that I served a lot below what I’ve been training, but I’m very aware of what I need to improve,” she added.
The victory has sealed Maia’s return back inside the world’s top 100 for the first time since September 2019.
“It means a lot to me to be back in the top 100. Not only for me, but also for my family, my friends, my team and everyone who has been with me during the difficult moments of my career.” She commented.
Awaiting the Brazilian in the next round will be Estonian 18th seed Anett Kontaveit who knocked out defending champion Bianca Andreescu in straight sets. Kontaveit recovered from a break down in both sets en route to her 7-6(5), 6-3, victory. It is the second time in her career she has reached the fourth round in Indian Wells after 2019.
“I didn’t play my best, and I didn’t feel my best. But I had to deal with what I had, and obviously it wasn’t enough.” Said Andreescu, who has failed to win back-to-back matches in eight out of her past nine tournaments played.
“The conditions were a bit tough, as well, with the wind and with the sun. Anett, I honestly don’t think she played her best tennis either, but she was the better player today.”
Out of the top 10 seeds in this year’s draw, only four players have managed to reach the last 16. Iga Swiatek, Barbora Krejcikova, Elina Svitolina and Angelique Kerber still have a shot at winning this year’s title.
