American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul advance to the third round at Indian Wells in style… with Felix Auger-Aliassime awaiting the latter in the last 16
American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul both advanced to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Monday.
Defending champion Fritz routed Argentine Sebastian Baez 6-1, 6-2 in the third round.
The fourth-seeded Fritz served four aces and won 88% of his first-serve points against the 30th-seeded Baez.
Paul beat ninth-seeded Pole, Hubert Hurkacz, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. Also advancing was three-time Grand Slam winner, Stan Wawrinka, who defeated No. 7 seed Holger Rune, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-5.
Rune saved a match point and rallied from 2-5 down to win the second-set tiebreaker. But Wawrinka recovered in the third to send his 19-year-old opponent packing.
Defending Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz destroyed Sebastian Baez in the third round
Fellow American, Tommy Paul, had a harder time Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, but still advanced
‘The last 45 minutes was tough,’ Wawrinka said postmatch. ‘I had the match in control and was playing well.
‘I was putting a lot of pressure, I should have won the match way before.’
Wawrinka reached the fourth round in the Southern California desert for the first time since 2017, when he lost in the final. He turns 38 next month.
‘All my career I know only one way,’ Wawrinka said. ‘To keep fighting, working, pushing myself and stay positive. I am super happy with the win.’
No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime avoided the upset bug and beat Francisco Cerundolo, 7-5, 6-4.
In women’s action, No. 5 Caroline Garcia outlasted Leylah Fernandez, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
No. 10 Elena Rybakina beat defending champion and doubles partner Paula Badosa, 6-3, 7-5.
Three time slam winner, Stan Wawrinka, defeated Denmark’s Holger Rune in three tough sets