Athletistic/Tennis. Zheng Qingwen’s surprise exit in the second round of the Indian Wells 2024 tournament left the WTA tournament main draw without six of the top 10 seeds.

Zheng, an Australian Open finalist, was beaten by compatriot Yuan Yue 4-6, 3-6. This was Yue’s first career victory against a top 10 player. As a result, Zheng became the sixth WTA top 10 player to exit the tournament, following defending champion Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur, Marketa Vondrousova and Jelena Ostapenko.

While Zheng, Pegula, Jabeur and Ostapenko lost their second round matches, Rybakina and Vondrousova withdrew from the WTA 1000 tournament. Fifth seed Pegula lost to Anna Blinkova and Jabeur was eliminated by Katie Wolynets. Ostapenko, seeded tenth, was beaten by Angelique Kerber.

Defending champion Rybakina’s withdrawal came hours before her second-round match against Nadya Podoroska due to a gastrointestinal illness. Defending Wimbledon champion Vondrousova’s withdrawal ahead of her third-round fight against Marta Kostyuk remains a mystery as she gave no specific reason for her withdrawal from the tournament. These events left Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari as the only remaining top ten seeds.

Szwiatek has already reached the third round of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, defeating 19-year-old Linda Noskova 6-4, 6-0. In the fourth round, she will face Kazakh Yulia Putintseva.

Second seed Aryna Sabalenka faces a tough third round match at Indian Wells as she takes on 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Earlier, the Belarusian was almost eliminated in the second round by Payton Stearns.

Third-seeded Gauff should have the easiest match of the third round on paper. The 19-year-old tennis player will play with Lucia Bronzetti. Maria Sakkari, seeded ninth, will face Caroline Garcia.

Vyacheslav Gorbachev/Athletistic



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