Indian Wells, March 16 (BUS): Matteo Berrettini saved three group points to defeat South African Lloyd Harris 6-4 7-5 and American Taylor Fritz survived a nearly three-hour battle with Jaume Munnar to qualify for the round of 16 in Indian Wells on Tuesday.
Berrettini, a Wimbledon finalist, took 88% of his first serve and hit his 12th ace on match point to claim the win on a sunny day in the Southern California desert, Reuters reported.
The Italian, the sixth seed, was forced to retire through injury during a match in Acapulco last month and looked rusty in Sunday’s second-round qualifier against 18-year-old Holger Ron.
He was even sharper on Tuesday, as he blended brilliantly and punches along with his powerful forehands and serve.
The 25-year-old is the first Italian player to reach the quarter-finals or better in all four Grand Slams, and he said his success on the sport’s biggest stage has sparked interest in tennis in his home country.
“When I was a kid, I dreamed of playing tennis, but not at that level. It still makes me feel like, really? It’s me?” He told the Tennis Channel.
“In Italy I’m getting more and more support. A lot of people are starting to watch tennis. So, it’s great.”
Berrettini will be the favorite when he faces Serbian Miomir Kekmanovic, who beat Buch van de Sandscholp in consecutive rounds on Tuesday in the fourth round.
The Southern California native Fritz let out a powerful roar after delivering the knockout blow to end his fight with Munnar 6-4 2-6 7-6 (2) in front of a supportive crowd.
Fritz lived dangerously in the first set, saved seven break points and captured them when the Spaniard committed a double fault in the first game of serve.
Munnar ramped up his serve in the second half to force a tight third set that Fritz won with an 11th header in the match.
Next for Fritz in the Round of 16 is Australian Alex de Minaur, who won 7-6 (2) 6-4 against American Tommy Ball.
De Minaur is 3-1 ahead of Fritz in their previous meetings.
In the other fourth round, American John Isner enjoyed a stress-free 7-5, 6-3 victory over 14th seed Diego Schwartzman and will next face Alexander Bublik or Grigor Dimitrov.