After an eventful first 5 days on the BNP Paribas Open, Monday’s motion will slim the lads’s singles area to 16 because the third spherical attracts to an in depth.
Chasing his one centesimal tour-level win, Carlos Alcaraz continues his title and World No. 1 quest towards Tallon Griekspoor, whereas 2022 champion Taylor Fritz performs Sebastian Baez. Two popcorn encounters see Holger Rune face Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray tackle fellow Briton Jack Draper.
ATPTour.com breaks down a few of the key contests on Day 6 on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion in Indian Wells.
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[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs. [31] Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
Alcaraz suffered a proper hamstring damage final month in Rio de Janeiro, however checked out his cell greatest on his return towards Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday and can look to copy that efficiency towards Dutchman Griekspoor.
The 19-year-old Spaniard is enjoying for a double prize this fortnight. He will rise to No. 1 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the primary time since January if he captures his third ATP Masters 1000 crown within the desert.
The prime seed, who reached the semi-finals in California final 12 months, shouldn’t be trying too far forward, although.
“I think the most important part of my game [is] to stay relaxed and go for it and not to think about the mistakes, the points, the rounds,” Alcaraz mentioned after his second-round win. “Let’s say, live [in] the moment, play the match, and go for it. That’s the goal in this tournament for me.”
Alcaraz holds a 2-1 ATP Head2Headvert collection lead towards Griekspoor, however will pay attention to the menace the 26-year-old holds. The World No. 36, who beat Guido Pella within the second spherical, defeated Alcaraz of their solely earlier hard-court assembly in Montpellier in 2021.
[7] Holger Rune (DEN) Vs. Stan Wawrinka (SWI)
Rune was solely two months previous when Wawrinka made his tour-level debut again in July 2003. Just shy of 20 years later, the 37-year-old Wawrinka remains to be going robust, defeating Miomir Kecmanovic to set a blockbuster third-round conflict towards Rune.
The 19-year-old Rune overcame the previous World No. 3 Wawrinka en path to his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris final season, their solely earlier assembly. The Dane will attempt to energy his manner by means of Wawrinka once more in a heavy-hitting conflict between two of the cleanest ball strikers on Tour.
Match of the Day @BNPPARIBASOPEN @holgerrune2003 vs @stanwawrinka
Last day out, it went all the best way to the final-set tiebreaker, with Rune taking the win and happening to take the 🏆 in Paris
We’ve taken a glance again on the #Insights
Pick your scoreline within the thread… pic.twitter.com/svSZN8BHdr
— Tennis Insights (@tennis_insights) March 13, 2023
“He’s a great player, has had a great career,” Rune mentioned when requested about Wawrinka. “I’m just going to try to focus on myself and do everything I can to beat him.”
Rune, presently No. 8 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, downed Mackenzie McDonald in his opening match to succeed in the third spherical on the hard-court occasion for the primary time. The three-time tour-level champion is presently 12-5 on the 12 months.
Wawrinka has endured an extended path to the third spherical, defeating Aleksandar Vukic in three units earlier than he overcame Kecmanovic. The Swiss star, who loved a run to the ultimate in Indian Wells in 2017, struck 25 winners towards the Serbian Kecmanovic and can attempt to discover a related stage towards Rune to enhance on his 8-5 begin to the 12 months.
Andy Murray (GBR) Vs. Jack Draper (GBR)
Another third-round conflict between expertise and youth pits former World No. 1 Murray towards 21-year-old Briton Draper. Murray has been the marathon man in 2023 with seven deciding-set wins. However, he received the job accomplished rapidly within the second spherical in Indian Wells, defeating Radu Albot 6-4, 6-3 to set a primary tour-level assembly towards Draper.
Draper is making his debut in Indian Wells and has rapidly adjusted to the circumstances, overcoming Leandro Riedi and countryman Daniel Evans to succeed in the third spherical. The lefty has risen again into the Top 50 to No. 48 within the Pepperstone ATP Live rankings following his success to this point in California. Victory for No. 53 Murray would transfer the Scot above Draper.
With Murray focusing on a fourth-round spot in Indian Wells for the primary time since 2015 (when he reached the semi-finals) and Cincinnati quarter-finalist Draper aiming to succeed in that stage at a Masters 1000 for the second time, there shall be loads on the road after they face off on Monday.
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[4] Taylor Fritz (USA) Vs. [30] Sebastian Baez (ARG)
Fritz handed a difficult opening check on Saturday when he moved previous his #NextGenATP countryman Ben Shelton to succeed in the third spherical. The Californian produced a formidable show on serve within the second and third units, throughout which he didn’t face a break level.
Fritz will goal to copy that serving efficiency towards Baez and earn his second win over the Argentine, having claimed a straight-sets win in Cincinnati in August. The 25-year-old captured the most important title of his profession in Indian Wells final 12 months and is happy to be enjoying in entrance of his residence supporters once more.
“It’s amazing,” mentioned Fritz of the environment. “It’s such a great feeling coming back, walking onto the court and then walking back out after the match is over. It’s such an amazing feeling just to feel the crowd and be back home.”
After struggling on the finish of final season, Baez has made a quick begin in 2023. He clinched his second tour-level title in Cordoba final month and cruised previous Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata to succeed in the third spherical in Indian Wells.
Also In Action…
Ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz performs Tommy Paul, with each gamers coming in off the again of 6-3, 6-3 victories towards Alexei Popyrin and Jan-Lennard Struff, respectively. The eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime continues the search for his first title of the season towards Francisco Cerundolo, whereas Jannik Sinner performs Adrian Mannarino.
In doubles, prime seeds Wesley Koolhof and Neal Skupski face singles stars Frances Tiafoe and Wawrinka. Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, in search of their second crown of the 12 months, play Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.
Source web site: www.atptour.com
