Naomi Osaka, Karolina Pliskova, Aryna Sabalenka march on in Indian Wells

Defending champion Naomi Osaka navigated her way into the BNP Paribas Open last 16 with an excellent win over Danielle Collins as fellow seeds Karolina Pliskova, Angelique Kerber and Aryna Sabalenka also advanced.
The world No 1 took just one hour and 22 minutes to beat American Collins 6-4, 6-2.
Defending champ moves on!@Naomi_Osaka_ downs Collins, 6-4, 6-2 at the @BNPPARIBASOPEN!@BNPPARIBASOPEN Defending champ moves on!@Naomi_Osaka_ downs Collins, 6-4, 6-2 at the @BNPPARIBASOPEN! pic.twitter.com/mCc3rAL4dP
— WTA (@WTA) March 12, 2019
After trading early breaks, it was Osaka who got the crucial break in game nine while two breaks in the second set were enough for the win.
Next up is Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship winner Belinda Bencic after the resurgent Swiss beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-4, 6-2.
Fifth seed Pliskova also produced a solid victory as she a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Ysaline Bonaventure in just over an hour.
The Czech will face Anett Kontaveit for a place in the quarter-final after the Estonian advanced when Anastasija Sevastova retired with a viral illness while 5-0 down.
There will be a tasty last-16 clash between Kerber and Sabalenka after the duo claimed contrasting wins.
Eigth seed Kerber required three sets to beat Natalia Vikhlyantseva, winning 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 while ninth seed Sabalenka was a 6-2, 7-5 winner over Lesia Tsurenko.
After her win, @SabalenkaA discusses getting revenge against Tsurenko and @TursunovTales‘ impact on her tennis #BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/FTBLS1qEl1
— WTA (@WTA) March 11, 2019
The 38-year-old Venus Williams’ run continues as she beat fellow American Christina McHale 6-2, 7-5 to set up a clash against Mona Barthel.
“I feel definitely more comfortable going into that match than, for example, today,” Williams said.
“I had never played (McHale) before, so you feel like you don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Jack Draper suffers defeat but promises to return to Wimbledon a better player
It wasn’t to be this year.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.
-
Wimbledon
Heather Watson ‘pretty relaxed’ as she looks to break new ground at Wimbledon
This is Heather Watson’s fourth time in the Wimbledon third round.
-
Wimbledon
Liam Broady hails ‘amazing feeling’ after beating Diego Schwartzman for biggest win of his career
The British No 5 lost 11 games in a row but fought back to down the 12th seed.
-
Wimbledon
Kyle Edmund set to end 18-month injury nightmare with Wimbledon mixed doubles appearance
The former world No 14 will play mixed doubles in SW19.