INDIAN WELLS, United States: Flavia Pennetta opened the defence of her Indian Wells title by beating American Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the joint WTA and ATP tournament on Saturday.
Pennetta, who turned 33 last month, clinched the hardcourt victory with a crosscourt forehand winner in a match that lasted 75 minutes on centre court at the
By AFP
March 15, 2015
INDIAN WELLS, United States: Flavia Pennetta opened the defence of her Indian Wells title by beating American Madison Brengle 6-4, 6-2 in the second round of the joint WTA and ATP tournament on Saturday.
Pennetta, who turned 33 last month, clinched the hardcourt victory with a crosscourt forehand winner in a match that lasted 75 minutes on centre court at the Tennis Garden stadium.
"Last year here I played so well. I have so many good memories," Pennetta said.
In 2014, Italy´s Pennetta dominated Poland´s Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2, 6-1 to claim her first Indian Wells title.
The world number 16 said she was nervous about the first match on her return while trying to defend the biggest title of her career.
"This morning I woke up and I was shaking a little bit. During the match I was trying to be focussed on what to do and not be rushed," she said.
Pennetta is also hoping to use this event as a springboard to success for the remainder of the year. She had a rough start to the season, but did reach the semi-finals in the Dubai tournament.
Brengle was coming off a 6-3, 6-0 victory over China´s Zheng Sai-Sai in the first round.
This was just the second career meeting between Pennetta and world number 46 Brengle with the only other one coming eight years ago in Los Angeles when the American rolled to a 6-1, 6-3 win.
Pennetta moves through to the third round where she will face either Taylor Townsend of the USA or Sam Stosur of Australia. (AFP)
