Indian Wells: Zheng Saisai and Heather Watson doubles defeat ends Chinese and British interest in WTA event
- Zheng and Watson lose to Desirae Krawczyk and Alexa Guarachi in first round after winning opening set at BNP Paribas Open
- China’s No 3 follows No 1 Zhang Shuai in early exit, while Watson loss comes after British No 1 Emma Raducanu loses in singles
China’s Zheng Saisai and partner Heather Watson lost out to fourth seeds Desirae Krawczyk and Alexa Guarachi in the women’s doubles at Indian Wells, ending Chinese interest in the “fifth grand slam”.
Zheng and the Briton started off well against the US-Chile partnership, taking the first set 6-3 after pulling away with the scores level at 3-3.
Local favourite Krawczyk, who lives in neighbouring Palm Desert, and Guarachi then struck back in the second set to win 6-3 and take the first round match to the shoot-out.
It was the No 4 seeds who won out, taking the shoot-out 10-8, to move on to the second round where they will face Veronika Kudermetova of Russia and Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina.
Krawczyk and Guarachi have won two WTA titles this year – the Adelaide International in February and the Internationaux de Strasbourg in May – and are gunning for another in Southern California.