3rd round action of BNP Paribas Open 2023 is already done, as the top 16 of both WTA and ATP competition in Indian Wells got emerged the players who will line-up the absolutely stunning order of play for Tuesday's matches which will contain all the Round of 16 duels.
Iga Swiatek passed the test in a really exciting matchup between the Indian Wells champions. The current title holder eliminated Bianca Andreescu - the 2019 BNP Paribas Open champion, 6-3 7-6(1). The Canadian forced some effort from Swiatek, playing really well from the start. Andreescu earned the early break, but Swiatek raised up her level and clinched the set with one break advantage. Second set was more shaky, as both players were exchanging the momentum. Swiatek started from the break and sit in the driver's seat, but then it was Andreescu who started to put more pressure and move into 4-2 lead. The Pole regrouped herself really well, forcing the tie-break, where she was a dominant force and grabbed the victory after great 2:08 hours of fight.
Emma Raducanu sets up a top-stars duel against Swiatek in Round of 16. The Brit plays possibly the best tennis since her US Open 2021 winning run. Raducanu started flawlessly with a 6-1 win in first set, but Haddad Maia who has already played some thrilling battles in this season, fought back with dominant performance in second set, forcing a decider with a score 6-2. Third set was a consistent serving performance from both players who showed some great rallies in the decisive games, which went on favour for Raducanu. The world's number 77 clinched the victory 6-1 2-6 6-4 after 2:21 hours, being happy for her best performance in recent months.
Caroline Garcia needed three sets to eliminate Leylah Fernandez on the road to Round of 16. The world's number 5 started the match as expected. The pre-match favorite took the opening set 6-4. Second one was emerged in tie-break after no breaks, but it was the Canadian who forced a decider. Garcia denied the upset though, dominating third set and moving into next round with score 6-4 6-7(5) 6-1. Sorana Cirstea will be Garcia's opponent in next round. The unseeded Romanian defeated Bernarda Pera 6-3 6-1.
Marketa Vondrousova eliminated the tournament's seed #4, winning 7-6(5) 6-4 with Ons Jabeur. Despite the ranking difference between the Czech, being ranked 105 in current WTA list, and the Tunisian who is world's number 4, Vondrousova was rated higher in pre-match odds. The Czech is clearly on the raising wave after coming back to competition in recent months and she has already upset Jabeur in 3rd round of Australian Open. The Tunisian is still finding her form and match practice after the break caused with an injury. Jabeur started better, leading 3-0 with double break, but Vondrousova managed to make up all the gap and move into the lead, winning 5 games in a row since then. The Czech did not manage to serve out this set in 10th game, but turned out to be better in a tiebreak. Vondrousova followed the blow after start of second set, leading 5-1, but was struggling with closing this match. She lost one service game and needed as many as 6 match points to cross the finish line. She did it eventually with a score 7-6(5) 6-4. Karolina Muchova will be her oponent in all-Czech 4th round clash. Muchova, who also comes back to the wider top tier of WTA, eliminated Martina Trevisan 6-4 3-6 6-4. The Czech was a clear favorite before the match, but needed 2:38 hours to secure her first ever R16 appearance in Indian Wells.
Elena Rybakina prevailed in one of the best matchups in 3rd round, eliminating Paula Badosa in straight sets. It was another strong serving performance from current Australian Open finalist. Rybakina has controlled the first set, winning it 6-3. The Spaniard started better in second set, but the world's number 10 came back from being a break down and won 6-3 7-5 in the match which has stayed on really high level.
Stan Wawrinka and Holger Rune played the most exciting match on ATP side on Monday. The players who have already played a really spicy three-setter in last year's ATP 1000 in Paris Bercy, delivered another great tennis spectacle. Rune was the clear pre-match favorite, but it was the experienced Swiss who was very close to finish the match in two sets. Wawrinka dominated first set winning 6-2 and had a match-point while serving within the score *5-4 40-30. The young Dane came out of trouble and forced the tiebreak. Wawrinka was leading 4-0 with double mini-break, but Rune fought back another comeback, winning the tiebreak 7-5 and forcing the decider. Both players were very consistent on serve since then. Wawrinka started to put bigger pressure since 9th game. He produced 2 breakpoints and converted the decisive one in 11th game, winning the whole match 6-2 6-7(5) 7-5.
Tommy Paul won another interesting matchup ended up in three sets, defeating Hubert Hurkacz 4-6 6-2 6-4. The Pole was a slight pre-match favorite and started succesfully, clinching the opening set 6-4. The recent Australian Open semi-finalist managed to turn the momentum over, being much more effective since the start of second set. Paul won the decider with just one break advantage gained in 7th game. Hurkacz had 3 chances to come back in next game, but missed the opportunities and it's the American who made it into R16.
The favorites from the top half of ATP draw prevailed to secure victories in straight sets. Tournament's top seed Carlos Alcaraz won 7-6(4) 6-3 with Tallon Griekspoor. Jannik Sinner eliminated Adrian Mannarino with a score 7-6(7) 6-4. Felix Auger Aliassime turned out to be better in a duel with Francisco Cerundolo, winning 7-5 6-4.
Here are the ATP highlights from Monday:
