IT was a great opening day for Indian Wells’ WTA Tour’s Czech Republic representatives, with all three Czechs out on court winning their respective matches. Kristyna Pliskova joined her sister Karolina in the second round following a come-from-behind win against United States’ Taylor Townsend. Pliskova won 4-6 6-2 6-3 in an entertaining opening match, and it was just the start of success for her nation. Joining her in the second round were compatriots, Marie Bouzkova and Katerina Siniakova who knocked off Frenchwoman Fiona Ferro and German Andrea Petkovic respectively in straight sets.

Teen sensation, Coco Gauff also booked a spot in the Round of 64 following a 6-3 6-0 triumph over German, Tatjana Maria, while fellow up-and-comer, Iga Swiatek from Poland posted a hard-fought come-from-behind victory over German, Laura Siegemund. Swiatek won 5-7 6-3 6-4 to win two crucial breaks in the final two sets and take out the contest, joining Pliskova and China’s Yafan Wang – who defeated United States’ Madison Brengle 4-6 6-1 6-2 – as the trio to win from a set down on the opening day.

Also dropping a set during their matches were Arantxa Rus, with the Dutchwoman eventually getting past Swiss talent, Jil Teichmann 6-3 4-6 6-1, while Patricia Maria Tig and Kristie Ahn also took three sets to post a victory. Tig downed Ukrainian Danka Kovinic 6-1 6-7 6-4 in just over two hours, while Ahn managed to bounce back from a disappointing end to the second set against Italian Jasmine Paolini, to grind out a 6-2 5-7 6-2 win.

It was much better news for the likes of Russian, Veronika Kudermetova and Viktoria Kusmova who both won in straight sets against Ana Bogdan and Samantha Stosur respectively. Also winning on day one were German Julia Goerges, Hungarian Timea Babos, Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig, Sweden’s Rebecca Peterson and Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi.

Among the contests set for day two to watch out for are in-form Tunisian talent, Ons Jabeur taking on Latvian, Anastasija Sevastova, fellow Latvian Jelena Ostapenko facing United States’ Jennifer Brady, and Russians, Anastasia Potapova and Anna Blinkova locking horns for a spot in the second round against highest ranked compatriot, Ekaterina Alexandrova.

ROUND OF 128 RESULTS:

Kristyna Pliskova (CZE) defeated Taylor Townsend (USA) 4-6 6-2 6-3
Julia Goerges (GER) defeated Nina Stojanovic (SRB) 6-1 6-3
Coco Gauff (USA) defeated Tatjana Maria (GER) 6-3 6-0
Arantxa Rus (NED) defeated Jil Teichmann (SUI) 6-3 4-6 6-1
Yafan Wang (CHN) defeated Madison Brengle (USA) 4-6 6-1 6-2
Iga Swiatek (POL) defeated Laura Siegemund (GER) 5-7 6-3 6-4
Veronika Kudermetova (RUS) defeated Ana Bogdan (ROU) 6-4 6-1
Timea Babos (HUN) defeated Tamara Zidansek (SLO) 6-0 6-1
Viktoria Kusmova (RUS) defeated Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-0 7-6
Monica Puig (PUE) defeated Kateryna Kozlova (UKR) 6-3 7-5
Patricia Maria Tig (ROU) defeated Danka Kovinic (UKR) 6-1 6-7 6-4
Marie Bouzkova (CZE) defeated Fiona Ferro (FRA) 6-3 6-3
Rebecca Peterson (SWE) defeated Danielle Collins (USA) 6-4 6-4
Kaia Kanepi (EST) defeated Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 6-4 6-3
Kristie Ahn (USA) defeated Jasmine Paolini (ITA) 6-2 5-7 6-2
Katerina Siniakova (CZE) defeated Andrea Petkovic (GER) 7-5 7-5