Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek both put on a breathtaking display of skill and determination as they secured their spots in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Their impressive performances have solidified their status as formidable contenders in the tournament.
World No 2 Alcaraz showcased his commanding prowess on the court, delivering a stunning performance to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime with a resounding 6-2 6-3 victory, extending his remarkable winning streak to eight matches in the desert. This sets the stage for an exhilarating fourth-round showdown with Fabian Marozsan, a golden opportunity for Alcaraz to avenge his unexpected defeat against the Hungarian last May in Rome.
Meanwhile, Swiatek, who had faced a setback with a loss to Czech teenager Linda Noskova in the same round at January’s Australian Open, displayed unparalleled resilience. The top seed found herself trailing 4-2 in the first set, sparking concerns of another surprise exit. However, she rose to the occasion and mounted a spectacular comeback, winning an astounding 10 consecutive games to surge past the 19-year-old with a remarkable 6-4 6-0 victory, thereby securing her place in the fourth round for the fourth time at Indian Wells.
In other compelling matches, Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas delivered a dominant performance, overpowering No 18 seed Frances Tiafoe with a commanding 6-3 6-3 victory, propelling him into the last 16. Tsitsipas now eagerly awaits the outcome of the match between Russian Andrey Rublev and No 32 seed Jiri Lehecka.
Furthermore, Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner continued his extraordinary form, claiming a 14th consecutive win in 2024 as he confidently dispatched Jan-Lennard Struff with a composed 6-3 6-4 triumph. Sinner’s exceptional achievement also highlights his impressive track record, having secured 52 victories out of his first 75 ATP Masters 1000 matches. Notably, only two players this century have surpassed this milestone in their first 75 Masters matches – Rafael Nadal (60) and Novak Djokovic (54).
Additionally, Jasmine Paolini demonstrated her unwavering tenacity, emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle against Anna Kalinskaya with a resilient 6-3 3-6 6-4 win. Paolini’s recent triumph adds to her growing momentum, having secured the Dubai Championships title just two weeks ago in a thrilling three-set final over Kalinskaya. This consistent display of exceptional skill and determination underscores Paolini’s promising potential in the competitive tennis landscape.
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