Indian Wells, March 14 (BNA): Carlos Alcaraz defeated Talon Griekspur 7-6 (4), 6-3 at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday to join defending champion Taylor Fritz in the fourth round.
Former NBA players Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash sat in the front row to see Alcaraz cruise through the Southern California desert, where he was in the semifinals a year ago. The 19-year-old Spaniard could return to the world number one ranking by winning the title here.
Fourth seed Fritz defeated Sebastien Paez 6-1 6-2. The Associated Press reported that Fritz served four aces and won 88% of his first serve points against 30th seed Paez of Argentina.
“I try to think of it as any other championship, but it’s very hard not to know I’m defending a title,” said Fritz. “I remember that constantly.”
Andy Murray’s career ended with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 loss to 21-year-old Jack Draper.
“I’ve looked up to Andy since I was very young,” Draper said. “I watched him win Wimbledon for the first time in 2013 and then I’ve had the opportunity to get to know him and practice with him a lot since 2019. He’s a really special person, a great champion and a great human being, and it’s been a privilege to play against him on this court.”
Murray hasn’t won three consecutive matches at a Masters 1000 event since winning the title in Paris in 2016.
Also advancing was Stan Wawrinka, who defeated No. 7 seed Holger Rohn, 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5. American Tommy Ball defeated ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz 4-6 6-2 6-4.
Ron saved a match point and rallied from behind 2-5 to win the second set tiebreaker. But Wawrinka recovered in the third game to dispatch his 19-year-old opponent.
“The last 45 minutes were difficult,” said Wawrinka. “I was in control of the game and I was playing really well. I was pressing so hard to win the game before.”
Wawrinka reached the fourth round at Indian Wells for the first time since 2017, when he lost in the final. He turns 38 next month.
“All my career I only know one way,” said Wawrinka. “To keep fighting, working, pushing myself and staying positive. I’m so happy to win.”
No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime avoided a sudden error and beat Francisco Sirondolo, 7-5, 6-4.
In the women’s event, seeded Iga Swiatek defeated 2019 champion Bianca Andreescu 6-3, 7-6(1).
“I’m glad I had the chance to play under pressure a little bit more, and see how I handle that,” Swiatek said on the court.
No. 4 Anas Jabeur lost to Marketa Vondrousova, 7-6(5), 6-4, and No. 5 Caroline Garcia outlasted Lila Fernandez, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1.
Qualifier Varvara Gracheva beat No. 8 Daria Kasatkina, 6-4, 6-4.
Emma Raducano, the 2021 US Open champion, beat 13th seed Beatriz Haddad-Maia, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
The final set lasted over an hour, as Radukano broke Haddad-Maia’s serve to take a 4-3 lead. Raducano held the rest of the way and closed it out on her fourth match point. It was her biggest win over an opponent since her US Open career.
Next up for Raducanu is their fourth round match against Swiatek.
“I’m sure I’ll be ready tactically; my coach is good at tactics, so I’ll trust him,” Swiatek said. “I’m sure I’ve got the rhythm already, so I hope I can play better with each match.”
No. 10 seed Elena Rybakina beat defending champion and partner Paula Badusa 6-3, 7-5.
Rial