Indian Wells news: Harriet Dart expels Gasanova to progress to the main draw

Great Britain’s Harriet Dart has downed Anastasia Gasanova, competing as a neutral, to progress to the main draw of the Indians Wells Masters.
Dart will face Croatia’s Ana Konjuh in the round of 128 at the WTA 1000 level event after a 6-2,-3-6, 6-3 win over the Russian in the final qualifying round on Wednesday.
It is the first time since the Australian Open that Dart has qualified for the main draw at a WTA Tour level event. The British prospect is 7-6 in singles this season.
She completes a quartet of British women in the first round at Indian Wells led by 11th seeded US Open Champion Emma Raducanu.
Raducanu will enjoy a bye into the second round, but Dart, Heather Watson and Katie Boulter will be in action on Thursday (Dart’s match is set to start at 22:55 GMT on Wednesday 9 March).
Watson faces World no 42 Tereza Martincova in a tough first round draw for the 113th ranked Briton. She will be aiming to avoid another first round exit having been knocked out at this stage in the 2021 event in October, going down to American Sloane Stephens.
Boulter, ranked 127th in women’s singles heading into Indian Wells, faces World no 46 Jasmine Paolini of Italy in a later match. She earned an upset win over Konjah at last month’s Lyon Open, but had to retire from her second round match against Anna Bondar.
It is hoped that Radacanu will have recovered from the hip injury that forced her to withdraw in Guadalajara and miss the Monterrey Open.
“Sorry to go out this way, I was loving Mexico and excited to see you in Monterrey,” she said at the time.
“However, due to the small left leg injury sustained during my last match we decided it was best to postpone my return to competition in order to recover as well as possible.”
Radacanu will make a last-minute decision on her participation at the dual WTA and ATP Tour event. She has flown into California, but indications are that she might still pull out.
Latest
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu cops biggest fine so far at 2022 French Open after ‘unacceptable’ incident
Irina-Camelia Begu lucky not to be disqualified, but not so lucky with the fine.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal produces his ‘best match’ at 2022 French Open, up next Felix Auger-Aliassime and Uncle Toni
Rafael Nadal edges closer to potential Novak Djokovic showdown.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic striving for perfection and more aggression after easing into Roland Garros fourth round
Novak Djokovic marches on at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Belinda Bencic fumes at umpire over time violation during defeat to Leylah Fernandez at Roland Garros
It’s Leylah Fernandez v Amanda Anisimova up next at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Exclusive – Why Carlos Alcaraz could be a hybrid of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
Annabel Croft says Carlos Alcaraz has taken the best elements of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer to build his game.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic ‘is back’ says John McEnroe as he makes world No 1 ‘very slight’ favourite for Roland Garros title
John McEnroe tipping Novak Djokovic to win the 2022 French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Daniil Medvedev insists ‘if I can play Wimbledon I will be happy to be there, even without points’
Daniil Medvedev would jump at the chance to play at Wimbledon.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios has ‘bigger fish to fry’ after Bernard Tomic challenges him ‘sort this out in the boxing ring’
Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic won’t be stepping into a boxing ring any time soon.
-
French Open
Irina-Camelia Begu escapes disqualification after ’embarrassing moment’ left young fan in tears
“I just want to apologise,” says Irina-Camelia Begu.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon to finally ditch the ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ prefixes on its famous honours boards as it modernises
Welcome to 2022 Wimbledon.