American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul advance in style to the third round in Indian Wells… with Felix Auger-Aliassime waiting for the latter in the round of 16
American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul advanced to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Monday.
Defending champion Fritz defeated Argentine Sebastián Báez 6-1, 6-2 in the third round.
The fourth seed Fritz served four aces and won 88% of his first serve points against the 30th seed Báez.
Paul defeated 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 came back from 2-5 down to win the second set tiebreaker. But Wawrinka rallied in the third to send his 19-year-old opponent packing.
Defending Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz destroyed Sebastian Baez in the third round.
His American teammate Tommy Paul had a harder time than Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz but still advanced
“The last 45 minutes were tough,” Wawrinka said after the game. ‘He had the game under control and was playing well.
“I was pushing a lot, I should have won the match much earlier.”
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.
“My whole career I only know one way,” Wawrinka said. ‘To keep fighting, working, making an effort and being positive. I am super happy with the victory.’
No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime avoided the annoying mistake and defeated Francisco Cerundolo, 7-5, 6-4.
In women’s action, No. 5 Caroline Garcia defeated Leylah Fernandez, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-1.
No. 10 Elena Rybakina defeated defending champion and doubles partner Paula Badosa, 6-3, 7-5.
Stan Wawrinka, winner of three slams, defeated Holger Rune of Denmark in three tough sets