Aryna Sabalenka solves Emma Raducanu, surges into Indian Wells fourth round

INDIAN WELLS, Calif.—Aryna Sabalenka edged through a tight two-setter with Emma Raducanu, solving the 2021 US Open champion, 6-3, 7-5 at the BNP Paribas Open.

Raducanu acquitted herself well against the reigning Australian Open champion, but Sabalenka ultimately proved too strong, serving her way to victory in one hour and 35 minutes on Stadium 1 Court.

Sabalenka was coming off a nail-biting first match in the desert, in which she saved four match points to defeat inspired American Peyton Stearns and win her first match since Melbourne—where she captured her second major title.

Snakebitten by injuries in the years since hoisting her own major trophy at the 2021 US Open, Raducanu eased into the third round when No. 30 seed Dayana Yastremska was forced to retire after four games. Still, the young Brit had begun her week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in solid form, dismissing Rebeka Masarova in straight sets.

Playing Raducanu for the first time, Sabalenka eased into the opening set before catching fire, winning 15 of 18 points from 2-2 in the first to find herself up a pair of set points at 5-2.

Raducanu, still only 21 years old, bravely battled back, saving both set points as she threatened to bring the set back on serve with a 0-40 advantage in the next game.

Sabalenka regained control with an audacious foray to net, serving her way to the set with 19 total winners in under 40 minutes.

The second set took a similar turn when Sabalenka stepped into the court to nab the first break at two games apiece, but Raducanu drew cheers from the crowd when she broke straight back, pulling off an impressive pass at net.

Sabalenka steadied as the set reached a critical stage, landing a deft drop shot to score another break off the Raducanu serve. Saving more break points as Sabalenka served for the match, an entertaining final game ensued as Raducanu saved three match points—one on a deep shot that the No. 2 seed let drop in.

She made no mistake on her fourth opportunity, nailing a forehand into the open court to edge over the finish line in just over 90 minutes.

In all, Sabalenka made up for 29 unforced errors with 33 winners, striking eight aces and saving nine of 10 break point opportunities. Up next for the former No. 1 will be either No. 16 seed Elina Svitolina or No. 23 seed Emma Navarro, who will face off later on Monday.