Stakusic Falls in Hard-Fought Indian Wells Debut

By Francesco Tosini

March 4, 2026

Match Results WTA Marina Stakusic Bianca Andreescu

Marina Stakusic’s BNP Paribas Open main-draw debut was spoiled by Anastasia Potapova as the Canadian No. 3 lost 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in round one on Wednesday.

Holds were hard to come by in the near two-and-a-half-hour match. Both players held 18 break points on the day, but Potapova was more efficient, converting on nine while Stakusic broke on six. The Austrian most important break came late in the third set, saving three match points in the tenth game to stay alive in the event before wrapping up the match with a second-straight break.

Stakusic’s debut got off to an ideal start, applying the pressure right from Potapova’s opening service game. The Mississauga-native held double break point and converted on the second attempt, coupling the loss of serve with a comfortable hold to grab a 3-0 lead.

The Canadian No. 3 remained aggressive on return, holding a total of eight break points over Potapova’s next two service games, with six of them coming in the sixth game alone. A double fault handed Stakusic the break and the opportunity to serve out the set at 5-1.

However, the Canuck was broken in back-to-back service games, cutting her lead to 5-4. Undeterred, Stakusic revived her game at the right time and broke to love, clinching the opener.

The flurry of breaks continued into the second set as the Canadian was broken for a third-straight time, giving Potapova the early advantage.

Stakusic fought off another break point at 0-2 to end the difficult run on serve, but the 21-year-old couldn’t string together a second consecutive hold, increasing her deficit to 1-4. Potapova eventually sealed the set after winning eight of the final ten points.

Stakusic was resilient in the early stages of the decider, going down a break on two occasions but breaking back twice to go within a hold of equalizing the set at 3-4. The Canadian managed to level and was then a point away from serving for the match at 4-4, 30-40. The world No. 130 went on the attack to force the crucial loss of serve.

However, Stakusic was under some pressure at 5-4, saving four break points, but the Canadian also had three opportunities to seal the contest and unable to convert. After the sixth deuce, Potapova stayed alive with a vital break on her fifth try.

The Austrian had all the momentum late, winning seven of the next eight points to hold some match points of her own at 5-6, 15-40. Stakusic saved the first with a powerful backhand down the line, but Potapova returned the favour and caught the baseline with a backhand to send her through into the second round.