Indian Wells: Former champion Naomi Osaka was sent packing from the BNP Paribas Open after No.21 seed Veronika Kudermetova of Russia defeated the Japanese player 6-0, 6-4 to advance to the third round here on Sunday (IST).
Kudermetova will face Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic for a spot in the pre-quarterfinal after the qualifier earned her first top-20 win of the season by defeating No.14 seed Jessica Pegula of the US 5-7, 6-2, 6-0.
Kudermetova and Osaka were due to face each other for the first time this season at the Melbourne Summer Set in January, before the latter withdrew due to an abdominal injury ahead of their last-4 clash.
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka returned to her winning ways, defeating Australian lucky loser Astra Sharma 6-3, 7-5 in her second-round opener. Seeded No.13, Azarenka will face No.17 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan in the third round. Rybakina advanced earlier in the day by defeating Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium, 6-1, 7-5.
Meanwhile, 18th seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada came back from the brink to advance to the third round, saving four match points against Amanda Anisimova before the American retired due to illness at 2-6, 7-6(0). Fernandez will face American Shelby Rogers in the next round.
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