The second round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells concluded with all Top 8 seeds advancing. In a draw still peppered with former champions and Grand Slam winners, there is no telling who might come out on top.
Iga Swiatek eases past Clair Liu 6-0 6-1
The winds kicked up dust and debris this morning when Iga Swiatek took the court at Stadium 1, but she breezed through the match against American Claire Liu with little trouble. The top seed told media, “It was a really solid match and I’m happy with how I adjusted to the wind, because when we were practicing, it wasn’t that windy.” The stadium, which seats 16,100 people, has a strange way of funneling wind to send swirling gusts to the baselines.
Asked if she and her team scout weather patterns the way they do opponents, the Polish perfectionist affirmed. She said, “I think the temperature is more important, because you have to string your racquets proper way.” This is different from the atmospheric factor today: “Wind is something that you just have to adjust to, and you don’t need preparation for that.” Still, it’s something she and sports psychologist Daria Abramowicz, a former competitive sailor, study up on before the match. She laughed and said, “We take care of that, as well. We take care of…
