Samantha Stosur has posted a morale-boosting straight-sets win over rising American Taylor Townsend to reach the third round of the Indian Wells Masters.
After enjoying a first-round bye, Stosur crushed Townsend 6-4 6-2 for just her second win since the Australian Open in January.
The 21st seed's reward is a meeting with Italian titleholder Flavia Pennetta, who opened her defence with a 6-4 6-2 dismissal of American Madison Brengle 6-4 6-2.
"Last year here I played so well. I have so many good memories," Pennetta said.
In 2014, Pennetta dominated Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-1 to claim her first Indian Wells title.
The world No.16 said she was nervous about her return to defend the biggest title of her career.
"This morning I woke up and I was shaking a little bit. During the match I was trying to be focused on what to do and not be rushed," Pennetta said.
Pennetta is also hoping to use this event as a springboard to success for the remainder of the year. She had a rough start to the season, but did reach the semi-finals in the Dubai tournament.
In other matches, second seed Maria Sharapova needed six match points to see off Yanina Wickmayer 6-1 7-5, fifth seeded Serb Ana Ivanovic defeated Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-1 and fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki eased past Ons Jabeur 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.
In the night match, sixth seeded Canadian Eugenie Bouchard dominated Lucie Hradecka 6-2 6-2 in just 57 minutes.
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