Sinner edges into Indian Wells quarters; Sabalenka too hot for Osaka World number two Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open after overcoming a tough challenge from Brazilian Joao Fonseca. The Italian survived a closely contested match, prevailing 7-6(6) 7-6(4) in a grueling fourth-round encounter. Sinner admitted the 19-year-old Fonseca posed a significant threat, particularly in the first set, where he trailed 6-3 before mounting a comeback. "Joao is an incredible talent," Sinner said, praising Fonseca's serve and his own aggressive approach. The Italian will now face American Learner Tien, a home favorite, in the next round. Sinner expressed confidence in Tien's consistency and his own ability to adapt. In the women's draw, world number one Aryna Sabalenka dominated 16th-seeded Naomi Osaka, securing a 6-2 6-4 victory. This marked Sabalenka's first win over Osaka since their 2018 U.S. Open clash, where Osaka claimed a major title. Sabalenka highlighted the significance of the win, noting the long gap between their previous meetings. "I'm pretty sure we are playing many more matches," she said, emphasizing her improved form. Osaka struggled to maintain her early momentum, allowing Sabalenka to capitalize on her errors, particularly through powerful backhands. The Belarusian's dominance continued as she broke Osaka's serve twice in the second set, eventually serving out the match with an ace. Sabalenka will next face Canada's Victoria Mboko, a player she defeated in the Australian Open round of 16. Elsewhere, Australian qualifier Talia Gibson achieved a career milestone by defeating world No. 7 Jasmine Paolini 7-5 2-6 6-1. The 21-year-old, making her debut in a WTA 1000 main draw, became the first qualifier in 11 years to reach the quarter-finals.#jannik_sinner #aryna_sabalenka #learner_tien #bnpparibas_open #joao_fonseca
Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev advance to Indian Wells quarter-finals Four-time Grand Slam champion Jannik Sinner edged out Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca in a closely contested three-set match at the Indian Wells tournament, securing his place in the quarter-finals. The world number two faced Fonseca, a 19-year-old rising star, for the first time, with the encounter drawing strong support from Brazilian fans. Sinner’s victory came after a dramatic second set, where he overcame a late rally by Fonseca to seal the win. The Italian will next face 20-year-old American Learner Tien in the quarter-finals, a match that will determine his path to the semi-finals. Sinner’s triumph was marked by a series of clutch points, including a decisive ace in the first-set tiebreaker and a relentless run of five consecutive points to take the set. The second set proved more challenging, as Fonseca fought back from a 4-2 deficit to level the match at 5-5. Sinner then regained control, winning four straight points in the final tiebreaker to clinch the victory. “Trying to be as aggressive as possible was the key,” Sinner said after the match. He praised Fonseca’s power and serve, acknowledging the young player’s potential. “He was serving very well, but I’m happy to get through.” Tien, meanwhile, advanced to the quarter-finals with a hard-fought victory over Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 20-year-old American saved two match points in the third set, ultimately prevailing 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/4). Tien described the moment as “playing with house money,” emphasizing the pressure of the situation. “After saving match points, I felt like I had nothing to lose,” he said, reflecting on his emotional journey. French player Arthur Fils also reached the quarter-finals after a remarkable comeback from injury.#jannik_sinner #alexander_zverev #learner_tien #joao_fonseca #alejandro_davidovich_fokina
Jannik Sinner Claims Victory Over Joao Fonseca in Thrilling Indian Wells Match Jannik Sinner secured a hard-fought victory over Joao Fonseca in their highly anticipated clash at the BNP Paribas Open, marking the beginning of a potential future rivalry on the ATP Tour. The Italian, ranked second in the PIF ATP Rankings, advanced to his third quarter-final at Indian Wells after a dramatic two-set battle that showcased both players’ intensity and skill. Sinner’s win, which came in a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) final, highlighted his ability to perform under pressure, as he saved three set points in the first tie-break and later overcame a second-set deficit to claim the match. The match, played in front of a packed primetime crowd, was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts. In the opening set, Fonseca took control early, leading 5-2 in the tie-break before Sinner fought back with a clever drop-volley to narrow the gap. The Italian then capitalized on a rare opportunity, breaking Fonseca’s serve at 6-6 to seal the set. Sinner’s aggressive style and precision were evident throughout, as he repeatedly forced errors from the young Brazilian, who had previously been a dominant force in the match. The second set proved to be even more unpredictable. Sinner led 4-2, but Fonseca, who had an impressive run of 12 points won in a row, broke the Italian’s serve to love at 5-3. Despite the setback, Sinner remained composed, eventually winning the final four points of the second tie-break to clinch the victory. His ability to stay focused in critical moments was praised by both players and fans, with Sinner acknowledging Fonseca’s talent and power while emphasizing his own determination to be aggressive. “This is an incredible player, an incredible talent,” Sinner said after the match.#jannik_sinner #bnpparibas_open #atp_tour #joao_fonseca #fabio_fognini
ATP Indian Wells 1/64-Finals: Key Matches and Strategic Bets The ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells tournament continues with its first round of 64th-finals, featuring several compelling matchups. Among the highlights are Joao Fonseca facing Raphael Collignon, Marin Cilic taking on wild card Zachary Svajda, and a high-stakes clash between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov. While bookmakers predict tight contests, analysts suggest opportunities to capitalize on players with stronger recent form and favorable head-to-head records. Fonseca, who has struggled in his last five matches, lost four of them, including a second-round exit in Rio de Janeiro to Buse. His performance at Indian Wells last year ended in a second-round loss to Draper. In contrast, Collignon has won seven consecutive matches, including a Challenger tournament final in Pau. This will be Collignon’s debut at the Masters 1000 event. Despite the bookmakers’ 50-50 assessment, Fonseca’s recent form and hard-court expertise make him a viable contender. The odds for Fonseca’s victory are listed at 1.73 with bet365. Svajda, a wild card entry, has won three of his last five matches but failed to qualify for the main draw in Acapulco. Cilic, a seasoned veteran, has claimed three of his last five matches and reached the quarterfinals at Indian Wells in 2016. His recent loss in Delray Beach to Nakashima does not detract from his overall experience at the Masters level. While bookmakers view the matchup as balanced, Cilic’s track record and mastery of high-stakes tournaments position him as a strong favorite. The odds for Cilic’s win are also set at 1.73 with bet365. Tsitsipas, who has lost three of his last five matches, including a first-round exit in Dubai to Humbert, faces Shapovalov in a rematch of their head-to-head series.#stefanos_tsitsipas #atp_masters_1000 #denis_shapovalov #joao_fonseca #raphael_collignon
