Swiatek eases past Yamstreska at Indian Wells, Tsitsipas advances
Defending champion Iga Swiatek moved one step closer to achieving an extraordinary third consecutive Indian Wells WTA title on Sunday, decisively defeating Dayana Yastremska with a score of 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the fourth round.
The Polish player, currently ranked second in the world, demonstrated complete dominance against the powerful Ukrainian opponent, playing with confidence as she secured the first ten games of the match.
Swiatek successfully converted six out of her eleven break opportunities and did not encounter a single break point against her. By the time Yastremska managed to score, winning her last two service games, the outcome of the match felt all but determined.
"It's always hard to finish a match like that," Swiatek said. "But I'm happy that I got my intensity up the last game and closed it with confidence because for sure it was a great match.
"I had control from the beginning so I'm happy with the performance for sure," added Swiatek, who wrapped up the win in 65 minutes.
Following her victories in 2022 and 2024, Swiatek has the opportunity to become the first woman to secure three titles at Indian Wells.
Her impressive record of 20 wins and 2 losses in the California desert places her winning percentage just behind that of Martina Navratilova, who remains unbeaten at this venue with a flawless 10-0 record and is the only woman to have won consecutive titles in 1990 and 1991.
Swiatek's next opponent will be Czech player Karolina Muchova, who, after trailing 3-5 in the first set, rallied to win 10 of the subsequent 11 games, ultimately defeating compatriot Katerina Siniakova with a score of 7-5, 6-1.
Seventeen-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva and 2023 Indian Wells champion Elena Rybakina also showcased their dominance by delivering decisive victories, setting the stage for a fourth-round encounter.
Andreeva, who recently made history by becoming the youngest winner of a WTA 1000 event in Dubai, required just 63 minutes to overcome Denmark's Clara Tauson, winning 6-3, 6-0 in a rematch of the Dubai final. Rybakina, on the other hand, defeated Britain's Katie Boulter with a score of 6-0, 7-5.
Fourth seed Jessica Pegula from the United States, coming off her first WTA title of the year in Austin, also achieved a swift victory, defeating China's Wang Xinyu 6-2, 6-1 in a mere 62 minutes. Pegula's next match will be against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina, who triumphed over Danielle Collins with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
Daniil Medvedev was the prominent figure in the men's draw of the combined ATP Masters and WTA 1000 tournament, but his match was cut short when 20-year-old Michelsen withdrew due to illness after losing the first two games.
"Food poisoning or something similar, these occurrences happen," remarked Medvedev, who was on his way to the practice courts to prepare for a fourth-round encounter with 10th-seeded American Tommy Paul.
Paul triumphed over Britain's Cameron Norrie, the 2021 Indian Wells champion who is currently ranked 77th in the world, with a score of 6-3, 7-5.
Eighth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas, fresh off his first title in nearly a year at Dubai, defeated Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-3 in a rematch of their quarter-final from the previous week in Dubai.
Tsitsipas lost only eight points on his serve, employing a range of athletic shots to outmaneuver the Italian, breaking him three times en route to victory in 68 minutes.
After experiencing a challenging period, Tsitsipas expressed his enthusiasm for a renewed mental approach to the sport.
"I feel a strong desire to step onto the court and embody a gladiator; that is my mindset for every match I play," he stated.
Tallon Griekspoor, the world No. 43 from the Netherlands who caused an upset by defeating world number two and top seed Alexander Zverev in the second round, followed up his significant victory with a 7-6, 6-3 win over France's 29th seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Griekspoor took an hour and 16 minutes to clinch the win, which was a timely result in a season where losing the first set has become a concerning trend.
"It feels gratifying to win a match in under one and a half hours," he commented.
Griekspoor's next opponent will be Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki, who delivered an impressive performance with 47 winners in his 6-4, 7-6 upset of 16th-seeded American Frances Tiafoe.
Ranked 349th in the world after missing over six months last season due to left knee tendinitis, Watanuki is the lowest-ranked player to reach the fourth round since Tommy Haas, who was ranked 882nd in 2004.
SportsLigue