Having defeated Lanlana Tararudee in two sets during the opening round, Kartal stated her commitment to “exhaust every effort” to compete against Keys in the round of 32.
“I believe I maintain a composed and collected demeanor when under duress, which allows me to effectively disregard the scoreboard and focus solely on individual points,” she shared with BBC Sport following her victory over Navarro.
“A clear reflection of your enjoyment for the surroundings and the playing surface manifests in your tennis performance, and I am cherishing each day spent at this venue.”
Regarding the medical pause taken for a back ailment, Kartal further commented: “I typically avoid summoning the medical staff, thus I sensed its necessity at that particular juncture.
“I plan to observe for a few hours to assess the recovery, but I will recuperate thoroughly and take all possible measures to ensure my readiness for the subsequent contest.”
The reigning women’s titleholder, Mirra Andreeva, commenced her Indian Wells tournament by overwhelmingly defeating Solana Sierra with scores of 6-0, 6-0.
“The prevailing circumstances presented considerable challenges,” remarked the 18-year-old Andreeva. “The wind shifted its course repeatedly. Consequently, I am quite pleased with how I adapted my playing style to these environmental factors.”
Iga Swiatek, who secured the Indian Wells title in both 2022 and 2024, alongside Elena Rybakina, the 2023 victor and recent Australian Open champion, similarly advanced.
Swiatek from Poland triumphed over qualifier Kayla Day with scores of 6-0, 7-6 (7-2), whereas Rybakina required three sets to overcome Hailey Baptiste, finishing 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-2.
“This contest proved exceptionally challenging, yet I am immensely satisfied with the outcome,” Rybakina commented. “Her performance was truly commendable.
“She maintained an assertive approach. Her serve demonstrated considerable prowess. I encountered chances, failed to capitalize on them initially, and subsequently faced difficulties in the second set, feeling somewhat hurried.”
