Former World No.7 Madison Keys had to hold off Estonian Kaia Kanepi to earn a 6-0, 7-5 win in the first round at Indian Wells day one.
American Keys win nine games straight before Kanepi fou d form to turn the match around.
The Estonian was staring down the barrel as Keys served at 6-0, 3-1, 40-40, but amazingly reeled off her own run of form, with 15 consecutive points to serve for the second set at 5-4.
But Keys regrouped, found her range and levelled the set before breaking to win in 69 minutes.
“Every time you play Kaia you know at any moment she can start making all her shots. She’s such a great player,” Keys said.
“So I had to come up with some pretty good shots to get that back. Happy with how I was able to manage that second set and get the win.”
The American will face Roland Garros finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova next.
