Bernard Tomic, David Goffin hurdle rivals at BNP Paribas Open

Indian Wells, CA, United States (4E Sports) – Australian Bernard Tomic opened his BNP Paribas Open campaign on a winning note, beating Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci, 6-4, 6-3, Thursday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

The 20-year-old Tomic, who won his first ATP World Tour title at the start of the season in Sydney, broke serve once in each set to clinch the win in 68 minutes.

In the second round, Tomic will face No. 10 Richard Gasquet, who drew a first-round bye.

Belgium’s David Goffin overcame Viktor Troicki of Serbia 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in just under two hours for his third tour-level win of the season.

The 22-year-old Goffin, who made his breakthrough with a run to the fourth round as a qualifier at Roland Garros last year, will take on 27th seed Florian Mayer.

Former World No. 3 David Nalbandian saved seven of eight break points to beat Marcel Granollers of Spain, 6-4, 6-2, in one hour and 46 minutes.

The 31-year-old Argentine recently returned to action with a runner-up showing in Sao Paulo after a six-month injury lay off. He will face 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz in the second round.

World No. 37 Kevin Anderson defeated Victor Hanescu, 7-6(6), 6-3 in 88 minutes to arrange a second-round clash with fourth seed David Ferrer.

Other first-round winners were Jarkko Nieminen, Mischa Zverev, Wayne Odesnik, Daniel Brands, Benoit Paire and Paolo Lorenzi.

Top seed Novak Djokovic drew a first-round bye and will take on the winner of the Fabio Fognini-Aljaz Bedene showdown in the next round.

On the women’s side, American 16-year-old wildcard Taylor Townsend started her WTA campaign with a bang, beating No. 57 Lucie Hradecka, 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-3.

Townwild, who edged Hradecka in two hours and 11 minutes, will face 11th seed and 2008 Indian Wells champion Ana Ivanovic, who drew a first-round bye.

Two-time former champion Daniela Hantuchova worked hard for a place in the second round, battling past French qualifier Stephanie Foretz Gacon, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, in two hours and 13 minutes.

There will be no respite for the 29-year-old Hantuchova, who won here in 2002 and 2007, as she advanced against top seed and defending champion Victoria Azarenka.

World No. 64 Jamie Hampton won an all-American clash with last week’s Kuala Lumpur finalist Bethanie Mattek-Sands, 5-7, 6-3, 6-1, while Sofia Arvidsson eliminated Laura Robson, 2-6, 7-6(2), 6-1.

Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu prevailed over Heather Watson, 6-2, 6-4 while Poland’s Urszula Radwanska set a second-round meeting with American No. 15 seed Sloane Stephens after beating Arantxa Rus, 6-3, 6-3, in 88 minutes.

Meanwhile, Monica Niculescu needed just 52 minutes to dismiss qualifier Elina Svitolina 6-0, 6-0, earning a clash with Belgium’s No. 28 seed Kirsten Flipkens.

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