Swiatek Holds Off Andreescu, Gets Raducanu Today At Indian Wells, Jabeur Out; Sabalenka v Krejcikova Tues.
Iga Swiatek was tested Monday at Indian Wells holding on to defeat fellow Indian Wells champion Bianca Andreescu 6-3, 7-6(7-1).
In set 1, Andreescu broke at the start to lead 1-0 before Swiatek leveled. Then, Swiatek broke in game 6 for 4-2 to grab the set. There were six breaks in the second with Swiatek failing to serve it out at 5-4.
“It was a really tight match, and I’m really happy that I actually played such a tight match, because now I see how I can handle those situations after couple of matches that were kind of one way,” Swiatek said. “So I think we both played well. I’m happy that in those important moments I was the one that was more solid.”
Swiatek improves to 2-0 in tour-level head-to-head clashes with the Canadian.
Just as she did in Australia, Marketa Vondrousova upended 4th-seeded Ons Jabeur 7-6(7-5), 6-4. The 4th-ranked Jabeur won just 10/34 (29%) on second serves and was broken five times.
Vondrousova broke for 2-1 in the second and again for 4-1 to bust it open.
Elsewhere, fifth-seeded Caroline Garcia eliminated No. 30 Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 6-1. (Varvara Gracheva surprised former runner-up Daria Kasatkina 6-4, 6-4. Australian Open finalist Elena Rybakina got by former tournament winner Paula Badosa 6-3, 7-5.
Emma Raducanu kept playing well with a good win over the 13th-seeded Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
“I’m really pleased to have come through that match,” the 20-year-old Brit said. “I think it was really tough out there. To battle it out in three sets, I was really proud of the way that I regrouped and came back in the third.”
Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic ousted the 23rd-seeded Martina Trevisan in a match that went the distance 6-4, 3-6, 6-4. And Sorana Cirstea rolled by Bernarda Pera of the United States 6-3, 6-1.
Tomorrow’s slate includes all fourth round play with Swiatek meeting Raducanu for a second time. Swiatek won their lone contest last year at in the Stuttgart quarterfinals.
“I think after Stuttgart, I just know how her shots feel on the racquet, because before I haven’t even practiced with her,” Swiatek said. “So it helps that way, but on the other hand, it’s great because we are playing on hard court, and there was clay, but actually this surface is slower.
“So I think I have to, like, really take care of the tactics anyway, and we’ll see. Honestly, like every day is different. Stuttgart match was like almost a year ago. So long time ago.”
Raducanu says she’s gotten past the injury niggles.
“Physically I actually feel pretty good,” Raducanu said. “I have been managing my wrists, obviously. But that’s something that I’m continuing to manage, and I’m doing everything off the court to try and make them in the best possible place to compete.”
No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka gets No. 16 Barbora Krejcikova, Sabalenka has won two of three tour-level contests when facing Krejcikova. Krejcikova was victorious in their last meeting in Dubai a few weeks ago.
No. 3 Jessica Pegula faces No. 15 Petra Kvitova, Kvitova has won three of four tour-level battles against Pegula. Kvitova was victorious in their last battle in the 2023 United Cup RR. .
No. 5 Caroline Garcia will battle Sorana Cirstea, No. 6 Coco Gauff faces Rebecca Peterson, No. 17 Karolina Pliskova faces No. 7 Maria Sakkari, No. 10 Elena Rybakina clashes with Varvara Gracheva plus Karolina Muchova collides with Marketa Vondrousova.
You Might Like:
Swiatek Holds Off Niemeier At Australian Open, Gauff v Raducanu Set; Jabeur, Sabalenka Tues.
Swiatek To Meet Raducanu In Stuttgart QFs; Sabalenka Ends Andreescu Comeback
Osaka Draws Stephens In Depleted Indian Wells Field; Top Seed Krejcikova Withdraws
Pliskova Top Seed At Indian Wells; Raducanu, Clijsters, Gauff Also Headline
WTA Miami Masters Preview: Swiatek, Sabalenka, Rybakina, Gauff Lead Field