The step was too high for Garcia and Gracheva, eliminated in the second round at Indian Wells
The only two French players remaining in the main draw of the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells faced a huge challenge in the night from Friday to Saturday during the second round.
After defeating Bernarda Pera (6-3, 6-4), Caroline Garcia faced the world number 2 and current title holder in California, Iga Swiatek.
In her tournament debut, the Polish player already hit the ground running and left only crumbs for the 2022 US Open semifinalist, winning 6-2, 6-0.
She will face Dayana Yastremska in the third round for a rematch of their round of 16 clash in Dubai last week (won by Swiatek 7-5, 6-0).
As for Garcia, the pressure is mounting. A quarterfinalist in Miami last year, the Frenchwoman has no choice and will need to deliver a strong performance in Florida in the coming days to avoid dropping out of the WTA top 100, something that hasn't happened to her since June 2013.
On her side, Varvara Gracheva managed to turn the tide against the returning Petra Kvitova (4-6, 6-3, 6-4) in the first round and earned the right to face Mirra Andreeva, 17 years old and recently crowned in Dubai just a few days ago.
Despite a strong resistance and a 4-0 lead in the second set, Gracheva couldn't hold on, and Andreeva, solid and tightening her game at the right moment, took advantage to come back and close out the match on her serve (7-5, 6-4).
The Russian prodigy will face Clara Tauson, who defeated Camila Osorio (7-6, 7-5). The two women had faced each other in the final in the United Arab Emirates, and the Dane will have the chance to seek revenge in the American desert.
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