6 wild card entrants took the court on 7th March 2012, as the BNP Paribas kicked off. While all were not lucky to make it through to the second round, some of them did infact win their battles. Most notable among them being Stephens's win, saving a match point on her way to victory, over former World no.21 Wozniak, 46 75 76(7). Mirza also battled it through to book a place in the second round and a meeting with Garrigues. Mirza came back after loosing the first set to beat Kristina Barrois, 46 62 64. One of the most lopsided wins of the day went for Jamie Hampton, another Wild card entrant, who beat Polona Hercog 60 61.
While, there were some good wins for the Wild card entrants there were some tough losses as well, as Urszula Radwanska went down to Michaella Krajicek 36 64 64, and Coco Vandeweghe going down to Australian Jarmila Gajdosova in 3 sets 46 63 63. Jill Craybas went down in straight sets to Mona Barthel.
Interesting fact to note is that 3 Wild card entrants won their matches and 3 lost their matches, the 2 wins and 2 losses came in 3 sets, while 1 win and 1 loss came in staright sets.
On 8th March, which is marked as women's day all over the world, 2 Wild card entrants took the court, Irina Falconi and Lauren Davis. Irina Falconi won when Alexandra Dulgheru retired after winning the first set 46 but being down 25 in the second set, whereas Lauren Davis scored her win over recent Kuala Lumpur finalist Petra Martic in straight sets, 62 76(7). The reward for Falconi is a meeting with reigning U.S Open Champion Samantha Stousr, while the chances of Falconi making it past the second round look dim, Davis must be happy for she has a second round meeting with Petrova, who has not been playing well lately. Let us see who of these 2 makes most of the Wild Card at this year's Indian Wells.
2nd round action started on 9th march, 2012 with the seeds of the first half taking the courts. 3 of the remaining 6 Wild card entrants in this half of the draw took courts against their seeded opponents. While 3 took the courts only 1 walked away smiling with a spot in the 3rd round and that one was Jamie Hampton who routed fromer no. 1 Jankovic in staright sets 64 63 to book a spot against Australian Gajdosova who ousted Belgain Wickmayer. The toughest loss was for Solene Stephens, who in her first round match had saved match point. However, it was her turn to feel the way Wozniak did that day against her. Stephens was up a set 51 in the second set before loosing 62 57 46 to Kerber. As for Mirza there was no coming back this time after loosing the first set as she went down in staright sets to Garrigues 26 57.
For now, we have at least one Wild card entrant Jamie Hampton in the 3rd round, while 2 more will try out their lucks today with Falconi taking on Stousr and Davis taking on Petrova.
Who in your point of view will make the most of her wild card? I fancy the chances of Hampton making it to the 4th round.
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