The player from Puerto Rico, who became her country's first-ever Olympic gold medallist at last year's Games in Rio de Janeiro, proved too strong for her opponent with a 6-0, 6-2 victory at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Puig will now go on to face Karolína Plíšková of the Czech Republic on Friday (March 10).

The 24-year-old Czech, who reached her maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open last year, progressed thanks to a 6-0, 6-3 win against Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States.

Britain's Heather Watson had to fight back from a set down to prolong her stay at the tournament as she dropped the opener on her way to a battling 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over American Nicole Gibbs.

The triumph for Watson saw her set up a first-ever Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour meeting with compatriot Johanna Konta, the current world number 11.

Elsewhere, Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens beat CiCi Bellis of the US in a three-set thriller, recovering from losing the opening set to claim a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 success.

The athletes in the women's draw will be hoping to take advantage of the absence of world number one Serena Williams, who had to withdraw from the event due to injury.

It means she will relinquish her spot at the top of the women's rankings.

In men's qualifying, Olympic doubles bronze medallist Julien Benneteau of France progressed to the main draw as he overcame Illya Marchenko of the Ukraine 6-4, 6-4.

Canada's Vasek Pospisil joined the veteran Frenchman in the main draw with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win against Rajeev Ram of the US.

Action at the tournament continues tomorrow.