Emma Raducanu dominates Anastasia Zakharova in straight sets to kickstart campaign at Indian Wells
Emma Raducanu beat Anastasia Zakharova 6-1 6-3 to reach the third round at Indian Wells; watch the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, live on Sky Sports Tennis, streaming service NOW and the app
Saturday 7 March 2026 08:14, UK
Emma Raducanu blazed past Anastasia Zakharova to win her first game at Indian Wells.
Raducanu beat qualifier Zakharova in straight sets, winning 6-1 6-3.
After her split from coach Francisco Roig, Raducanu has reunited with Mark Petchey on a day-to-day basis during Indian Wells, while continuing to work closely with hitting partner Alexis Canter.
- What tennis is live on Sky Sports 🎾📺
- Download the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more 📱
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺
The British No 1 played with few flaws against Zakharova, serving strongly in the opening game and breaking her opponent's serve at the first opportunity.
She raced to a 3-0 lead in the first set before Zakharova won her first game.
Raducanu ruthlessly pressed home her advantage to claim the first set.
Zakharova looked to regroup before the second set but Raducanu remained in command.
A double fault from Zakharova gave Raducanu three break points in the seventh game of second set. She took the second to go up a double break and put herself in position to serve out the match.
But, just as Raducanu was looking to close out the contest, Zakharova got her first break.
It did not, though, change the momentum of the match. Raducanu immediately broke back to finish matters in two sets.
Raducanu 'proud' after routine win
Raducanu has recently suffered a first-round defeat to Antonia Ruzic at the Dubai Tennis Championships and retired due to illness against Camila Osorio in the first round in Qatar. But this win secures a place in the third round.
"It's not easy, I hadn't played a match here, my opponent played three so you always know about that dynamic going in. But I was really pleased with the prep I'd done for the past week. It felt like my game was headed in a better direction so for me to see that proof on the match court, it was really rewarding and I'm just really happy with it," Raducanu told Sky Sports Tennis.
"That was a great show of my game today, I think I played really well," she continued. "I don't think it's perfect yet but I think it's a lot better from where I was feeling.
"I'm not necessarily aiming for the stars right now, I think I just want to be doing my game better and better. I think whatever I put on the court, if I apply myself like I did today, I think I'll be proud of myself and I think I'll be in a good place."
Sabalanka shines, Sinner though
Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed at Indian Wells, also progressed, beating Japan's Himeno Sakatsume in straight sets, 6-4 6-2.
Sabalenka sported an oval-cut diamond engagement ring for the first time in competition and quipped: "We double-checked if there was a possibility to lose the diamond, and there was none. I was pretty confident wearing it, hoping it might even distract my opponent."
Coco Gauff, the fourth seed, won 6-3 7-6(5) to knockout Russia's Kamilla Rakhimova despite a tight second set.
Meanwhile, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner confidently beat Czechia's Dalibor Svrcina 6-1 6-1 to ease through.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, live on Sky Sports or stream with NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.
