Indian Wells: Iga Swiatek drops just one game in win over Claire Liu, Victoria Azarenka crashes out

Top seed Iga Swiatek began her Indian Wells title defence with a dominant 6-0 6-1 win over Claire Liu.

Swiatek won the first 11 games of the match and finished the one-sided contest in just over an hour.

Swiatek was ruthlessly efficient in just her second meeting against Liu. The world No. 1 won 57 of her 83 points and converted five of her nine break points.

“Coming back after such a great result last year is something else,” Swiatek said in her on-court interview.

“I wanted to get my level of energy up a little bit, because it’s the hardest thing to do when everything goes your way.

“For sure, Claire used that moment when I didn’t play as aggressive that I should be, but I’m pretty happy that I was able to close it pretty fast.”

The Pole will play No. 32 seed Bianca Andreescu in the next round after the Canadian came from a set down to beat USA’s Peyton Stearns 4-6 6-4 6-3.

Fourth seed Ons Jabeur fought back from a set down to beat Magdalena Frech 4-6 6-4 6-1 in one hour and 44 minutes.

Fifth seed Caroline Garcia is also through after a 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 win over Hungary’s Dalma Galfi.

Reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina beat 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 7-6(6) 7-6(5) in two hours and 10 minutes.

The big shock of the day was the early exit of Victoria Azarenka. The two-time Grand Slam champion lost to Karolina Muchova 7-6(1) 6-3.

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