Tomljanovic prevails in Indian Wells opener, Stosur out
Ajla Tomljanovic has continued her hot start to the 2019 with an impressive first-round win at the prestigious WTA event in Indian Wells.
While fellow Australians Samantha Stosur and Priscilla Hon bowed out, Tomljanovic dispatched Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-3 on Friday.
The Croatian-born 25-year-old climbed to a career-high No.40 in the world last month following runs to the final in Thailand and quarters in Qatar.
Tomljanovic next faces ninth-seeded Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.
Stosur departed the Californian desert after a 6-2, 6-3 loss to American wildcard Madison Brengle, while Hon's charge from qualifying came to an abrupt end with a 6-1, 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Russian Natalia Vikhlyantseva.
Australian Matt Ebden was eliminated from the men's event, going down 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-3) to veteran tie-breaker specialist Ivo Karlovic.
John Millman and Jordan Thompson were also in action on Friday, while Nick Kyrgios, after a bye, will open his campaign on Sunday against Philipp Kohlschreiber after the German thumped Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 6-0.
AAP