Winning start for Gagliardi

Switzerland's Emmanuelle Gagliardi has made a good start to the prestigious Indian Wells tennis tournament, overcoming Sweden's Asa Svensson in straight sets.

As the first round match got underway, Gagliardi (WTA 70) struggled to find a way past the Swede, who is ranked just eight places below the Swiss in the world standings.

But after holding level for the first eight games, Svensson suffered a dramatic collapse, allowing the Swiss number three to win the next eight games and complete a 6-4, 6-0 victory.

Gagliardi will now take on Spain’s Angeles Montolio in the second round of the $2 million, 12-day tournament.

Although Montolio is ranked 24th in the world, she is more at home on clay courts and may offer Gagliardi a reasonable chance of making the third round for the first time in over two months.

Hingis doubtful

Swiss number one Martina Hingis may be forced to pull out of the Indian Wells tournament with a wrist injury.

The 21-year-old world number four, who is seeded second at the California event, has already withdrawn from the doubles tournament because of the injury.

Hingis has received a bye into the second round of the singles where she is due to meet Croatia’s Silvija Talaja.

swissinfo with agencies