Ajla Tomljanovic channels the right energy to upset Garbine Muguruza as Karolina Pliskova sees off qualifier

Shahida Jacobs
Ajla Tomljanovic in action

Garbine Muguruza was a big casualty in the women’s draw at the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday as the fifth seed was stunned by Ajla Tomljanovic, but top seed Karolina Pliskova is safely through.

World No 47 Tomljanovic overcame a second-set meltdown to beat the two-time Grand Slam winner 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 in one hour and 52 minutes in the second round of the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells.

Having edged the first set before the Spaniard brushed her aside in the second, Tomljanovic made a strong start to the decider with a break in game one, but Muguruza drew level in game six only for the Australian to win the last three games.

“I was really looking forward to playing Garbiñe, because I did lose [to her] the last couple of times,” Tomljanovic said.

“I did try to focus on that one time I beat her, and tried to channel that energy, so I was really happy that I got through today.”

Up next is Tamara Zidansek after the 26th seed from Slovenia defeated Ana Konjuh of Croatia, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.

Top seed Pliskova had to have her wits about her against in the opening set against Magdalena Frech, but eventually eased to a 7-5, 6-2 win.

The Polish qualifier broke first in game seven, but Pliskova hit back with breaks in games eight and 12 before running away with things in the second set.

“Credit to her, of course,” Pliskova said. “She won a couple matches, she was playing well, not really giving me any free points, which was difficult. But I think my game can be really working here pretty well.

“I’ve already been here for a week practicing, so hopefully I can win a couple more matches here.”

The Czech takes on Beatriz Haddad Maia in the third round after the Brazilian beat Mayar Sherif 6-3, 6-0.

Twelve seed Ons Jabeur was made to work for her victory as the Tunisian went the distance against Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia, winning 6-2, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3.

Teenager Coco Gauff also had a battle on her hand as she took two hours and 10 minutes to beat Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 6-1 and the reward is a clash against Paula Badosa from Spain.

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