U.S. Women Start Strong at Indian Wells

Americans Jamie Hampton and Madison Keys booked their second round berths as Taylor Townsend made a winning debut at Indian Wells.

By Erik Gudris

(March 8th, 2013) -- A pair of all-American first round matches assured two U.S. women a spot in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. On the same day, a young American teenager won her first ever WTA main draw match.

16-year-old Taylor Townsend, who recently turned pro this year, was forced to grind it out against Lucie Hradecka in the teenager's first career WTA main draw match.

Townsend was a game away from losing in the second set before she rallied to close out the 3-6, 7-6(1), 6-3 win.

"I always thought I belonged at this level. It's so surreal," said Townsend about transition to the pro from juniors to WTA.com. "It's coming to pass."

Townsend next faces a former champion of the event in Ana Ivanovic.

On the same day, two first round matches that pitted Americans against each other was on the lineup.

Jamie Hampton, who had her breakthrough run to the fourth round at the event last year, found herself down a set to Bethanie Mattek-Sands. But Hampton ran away with the last two sets to seal a 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 win

In the night session, Madison Keys found herself in a tougher than expected battle with Melanie Oudin. The young Americans split sets before Keys took control to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.

Hampton, Keys and Townsend join fellow Americans Mallory Burdette and Christina McHale who won their openers yesterday. Sloane Stephens, who is the only seeded U.S. woman in this year's draw, faces Urzsula Radwanska in her second round match.

(Photo Credit: Erik Gudris)