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Fritz Takes Down Berrettini, Advances To Fourth Round

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

Taylor Fritz earned his biggest win of the year Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open, easing past Matteo Berrettini 6-4, 6-3 in front of his home crowd to reach the fourth round.

The California native, who was 2-6 in his past eight matches heading into Indian Wells, gained his first win against a Top-10 opponent in 2021 and the seventh of his career in the 81-minute encounter.

“We’re coming to the end of the year, I could really use a big result,” said Fritz in his on-court interview. “This is just what I needed, playing one of my favourite tournaments close to home.”

Fritz held a 5-1 lead in the first set, surviving a Berrettini comeback by breaking to love in the final game. A break in the fourth game of the second set proved enough to take the match in straight sets against a frustrated and off-form Berrettini.

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“I had a really clear strategy on top of just doing what I do,” said Fritz. “Big first serves, attacking the first ball, trying to be aggressive and play to my strengths to try and make him uncomfortable as much as I could.”

The World No. 5 saved four match points to extend the second set, but Fritz maintained his composure to hold serve in the following game. Fritz broke the Italian’s serve five times, winning 48 per cent (27/56) of return points.

Fritz denied Berrettini the chance to continue his Nitto ATP Finals qualification campaign this week, with the Italian sixth in the FedEX ATP Race to Turin. The 31st seed now leads their ATP Head2Head 2-0.

Up next for Fritz is another Italian, Jannik Sinner. The 20-year-old is also chasing a spot in the Nitto ATP Finals, sitting 10th in the Race.

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Paul Records Biggest Win, Beats Rublev In Indian Wells

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

The wide smile on Tommy Paul’s face at the end of his match Monday evening said it all.

After a back-and-forth battle against fourth seed Andrey Rublev in which the American unsuccessfully served for the match once, Paul completed one of the biggest victories of his career 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open.

“I’m not thinking too much. I was pretty happy to be out there, so it wasn’t like the end of the world getting broken there,” Paul told ATPTour.com. “I had match point and obviously I wanted to win the match there. But I felt comfortable throughout the match.”

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Paul’s missed opportunity came serving at 5-3 in the decider. On match point, he hit a backhand approach shot long. Rublev then broke his serve and held to level their clash. The World No. 60 remained calm though and triumphed after two hours and 24 minutes.

“I knew that I would have chances either to break back or [win] in the breaker, even if I just raised the level of my serve a little bit,” Paul said. “I would have had a lot of chances to win that breaker.”

The 24-year-old had never previously made the third round of an ATP Masters 1000 event, and now he is into the fourth round. The victory was his second against a Top 10 opponent after he defeated Alexander Zverev in Acapulco next year.

Paul will next play in-form Briton Cameron Norrie, who clawed past Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 after two hours and 44 minutes.

The lefty Norrie, who is the 21st seed, hit 12 aces and saved 10 of the 14 break points he faced. Paul won their only previous clash earlier this year in an ATP 250 in Melbourne.

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Tuesday Preview: Murray Faces Zverev, Berrettini Chases Turin Berth

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

A defeat of highly touted #NextGenATP prospect Carlos Alcaraz has Andy Murray confident of maintaining an unbeaten record against third seed Alexander Zverev at the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday.

With fourth-round berths on the line at Indian Wells, second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas takes on Fabio Fognini, looking to improve on a 2-0 ATP Head2Head record, while Fognini’s countryman, fifth seed Matteo Berrettini, could set a fourth-round showdown with fellow Italian and Nitto ATP Finals hope Jannik Sinner.

Former World No. 1 Murray holds a 2-0 ATP Head2Head record against Zverev, including a surprise win at this stage of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati last year. Now at No. 121 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, the Scot believes he is in even better shape this time round to go 3-0.

“He’s had a good summer post Wimbledon with the Olympics, then a great run in New York. Played a tough match with Novak [Djokovic] there,” Murray said. “Not going to be easy for me. I played some good matches against him in the past. Yeah, will need to play really well.

“Obviously the match that we played last year, not saying he was playing his best tennis at that stage, but he did make the final of the US Open a couple of weeks later,” Murray said. “I wasn’t physically feeling particularly good and did not play particularly well, but managed to win. From that perspective I can gain confidence from that, that if I play a really good match I’ll be right in there with a shot.”

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After being taken to three sets against #NextGenATP American Jenson Brooksby in his opening match, Zverev had added incentive to beat Murray for a place in the fourth round. The German’s win over Brooksby sealed his berth at the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held from 14-21 November at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, and kept him in the hunt for a third ATP Masters 1000 trophy for the season.

“I’m happy to be in the third round and playing Andy now. I think he’s the only one of the Big Four I haven’t beaten yet, so I hope I can change that,” Zverev said. “I think it’s incredible how well he’s moving and incredible how well he’s playing. I think he’s very motivated so I hope I can show my best tennis.”

Second seed Tsitsipas, who won his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Monte-Carlo in April, has the chance to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells for the first time when he takes on 25th seed Fognini on Stadium 1. The Greek saw off Spaniard Pedro Martinez in his opening match, while Fognini ground out a three-set victory over Jan-Lennard Struff.

John Isner’s withdrawal to be with his wife for the birth of their child boosted 10th seed Sinner’s hopes of a deep run in the desert as he aimed to improve on his current standing of 10th position in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. The 20-year-old could next meet Wimbledon runner-up Berrettini should the Italian beat 31st seed Taylor Fritz of the United States.

After ending the run of Chilean qualifier Alejandro Tabilo, Berrettini looks to level the ledger after losing his only prior ATP Head2Head meeting with the American in the 2019 Davis Cup Finals in Spain. Fritz scored a straight-sets triumph over #NextGenATP countryman Brandon Nakashima in his opening match.

SCHEDULE – TUESDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2021

STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
WTA – [19] J. Pegula (USA) vs [4] E. Svitolina (UKR)
WTA – S. Rogers (USA) vs [23] L. Fernandez (CAN)
ATP – [WC] A. Murray (GBR) vs [3] A. Zverev (GER) 

Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA – [10] A. Kerber (GER) vs A. Tomljanovic (AUS)
ATP – [25] F. Fognini (ITA) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE) 

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
ATP – [5] M. Berrettini (ITA) vs [31] T. Fritz (USA) 
ATP – [24] K. Khachanov (RUS) vs [12] P. Carreno Busta (ESP) 

Not Before 4:00 PM
WTA – [3] B. Krejcikova (CZE) vs [21] P. Badosa (ESP)

Not Before 6:00 pm
ATP – [14] G. Monfils (FRA) vs K. Anderson (RSA) 

Not Before 8:00 PM
WTA – [12] O. Jabeur (TUN) vs [Q] A. Kalinskaya (RUS)

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am
WTA – [24] J. Ostapenko (LAT) vs [2] I. Swiatek (POL)
ATP – A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) vs [29] N. Basilashvili (GEO) 
WTA – [27] V. Azarenka (BLR) vs A. Sasnovich (BLR)

After Suitable Rest NB 6:00 PM
WTA – L. Fernandez (CAN) / C. Gauff (USA) vs [2] S. Hsieh (TPE) / E. Mertens (BEL)
ATP – [13] C. Garin (CHI) vs [22] A. de Minaur (AUS) 

STADIUM 4 start 1:00 pm
WTA – M. Ninomiya (JPN) / S. Santamaria (USA) vs [3] S. Aoyama (JPN) / E. Shibahara (JPN)
ATP – W. Koolhof (NED) / J. Rojer (NED) vs [7] J. Peers (AUS) / F. Polasek (SVK) 
ATP – [1] N. Mektic (CRO) / M. Pavic (CRO) vs M. Arevalo (ESA) / M. Middelkoop (NED) 

Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA – [LL] B. Haddad Maia (BRA) vs [18] A. Kontaveit (EST)
ATP – J. Struff (GER) / A. Zverev (GER) vs R. Bopanna (IND) / D. Shapovalov (CAN) 00

STADIUM 6 start After Suitable Rest NB 6;00 PM
WTA – [1] B. Krejcikova (CZE) / K. Siniakova (CZE) vs L. Kichenok (UKR) / J. Ostapenko (LAT)

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Medvedev Denies Late-Surging Serbian In Indian Wells

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

Top seed Daniil Medvedev is in full flight in the California desert, handling a lengthy rain delay and Serbian 27th seed Filip Krajinovic to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday night.

In a showdown that started late due to rain, the Russian managed the cold, windy conditions better as he posted a 6-2, 7-6(1) victory at Indian Wells to set a clash with 23rd seed Grigor Dimitrov. It was his 18th win from his past 19 matches on North American soil.

The Russian won 70 per cent of first-serve points and hit 28 winners to just 16 unforced errors for his 50th match win this season. His opponent finished the 90-minute contest with 15 winners and 20 unforced errors.

“I feel like I’m trying to play a little bit less… just playing the biggest tournaments, or the ones that will get me back into shape so I’m really happy that I managed to get 50 [wins]. It means that I was doing pretty good in a lot of them,” Medvedev said.

“Filip is a really tough opponent. He’s always playing top tennis, very tough matches, especially that second set. [There were a] lot of ups and downs, but I think a great level from both of us. Really happy that in the tie-break I managed to [gain] the edge on my side.”

Krajinovic had been a thorn in Medvedev’s side before. Two years ago, as a No. 113-ranked qualifier he defeated the then-15th seed in straight sets to reach the fourth round at Indian Wells (l. to Nadal).

This year, in the third round of the Australian Open, Medvedev let a two-set lead slip before he stormed home in the fifth to win his 17th straight match. It was his first five-set victory in seven attempts.

Much had changed in the eight months since. Medvedev had climbed to a career-high No. 2 in the FedEx ATP Rankings and importantly landed his maiden Grand Slam trophy at the US Open against Krajinovic’s countryman, Novak Djokovic.

The Russian was on a ruthless streak and stamped his authority early against the World No. 34 as he raced to a 4-0 lead. The set was in the bag after just 35 minutes and Medvedev broke immediately when he ended a 36-shot rally on a flawless drop shot for 1-0 in the second set.

No sooner had he taken control of the match than the Serbian showed why he had proved so difficult for his opponent in the past as he broke twice on his way to a 4-2 lead. Medvedev was made to work hard to prevent a third set and reasserted his dominance in the ensuing tie-break to prevail.

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Nainkin On Fritz: 'He Believes He Can Beat Anybody'

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

American Taylor Fritz advanced to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open for the third time on Sunday when he defeated countryman Brandon Nakashima.

The 23-year-old is hoping to make his mark in the California desert after a tough season during which he suffered a freak knee injury at Roland Garros that required surgery.

ATPTour.com spoke to one of Fritz’s coaches, David Nainkin, about his charge’s season, competitive spirit, overthinking on court, FIFA and more.

From Taylor’s freak injury at Roland Garros to rushing back for Wimbledon and everything else, how do you see how the year has gone?
The French Open to Wimbledon was tough. I thought that he did as well as he could have at Wimbledon. The summer’s been probably below-par for him. He hasn’t done as well as he thought. Even going back to San Diego, that was disappointing for him last week. Losing to a good Jenson Brooksby at the US Open, that was a great match.

Taylor is probably not the marked man anymore. He is one of a lot of good young American tennis players. There are seven of them inside the Top 44 in the Race, it’s all bunched up. I think it’s great for American tennis, you have so many guys vying for the top spot who can do well and [especially] now with the Big Three not being here.

But since the US Open, we had three great weeks of training. He’s in a really good place with his game. He’s been practising well and I think he’s in a good place going into the next five weeks of tournaments.

You mentioned the young Americans. For any competitor, you want to be the marked guy. But on the other hand, the rise of Brooksby, Korda and Nakashima is motivation. How do you view the dynamic?
I think the more young American guys we have who are playing against each other and beating each other, the better for them, because they can all push each other. The higher the level they can push each other, the more they’re going to push each other. We’d like to see some rivalries between these guys playing each other in the quarters, semis of a Grand Slam. That’s really going to push them where one of them becomes a star.

I don’t think it’s a surprise. These guys haven’t come out of the blue between Jenson and Sebi and Brandon. There have been no surprises. They all know each other well. I wouldn’t say it’s unexpected.

In 2016 Taylor was named the ATP Star of Tomorrow presented by Emirates. Five years later, how different is he as a person and a player?
He’s the same person. He’s one of the best competitors I’ve seen and his game has actually evolved and improved. I don’t think he’s any different. He obviously got up there pretty quickly, and it’s been a battle over the past three or four years trying to break into the Top 20, Top 15. He’s kind of bumped his head a little bit in the third round of majors. I’d say that’s been the biggest hurdle for him, that he hasn’t really gotten through that.

Pre-Covid, he lost in the final of Acapulco against Nadal, had started to do a little better each year. A goal for this year was for him to make the second week of a Slam and he didn’t. There are two [ATP Masters] 1000s left and three or four Tour events… But he’s the same guy. He loves tennis, he wants to win and maybe at times wants to win too much.

With a little more experience, you have memories and a little more baggage in your brain and stuff to reflect on. Moving up that year, like every young guy, everything is new and you’re for sure swinging out a little bit more with reckless abandon. Is he playing with a little more caution at times now? Probably.

He’s always been very competitive. How difficult is it for someone like that when you don’t achieve a goal like reaching the second week of a major?
It’s disappointing, because you do set goals and that’s always disappointing when you don’t reach them. It is what it is, those are the facts. The competitive side, you can’t teach it. I think it’s part of your DNA.

Taylor plays Matteo Berrettini in the next round here in Indian Wells. To what extent is every week a big opportunity for him to earn that one big win that could propel him upwards?
He prepares as well as he can for every week. Indian Wells is a massive opportunity for him. He believes he can beat anybody in the draw and I’m not just saying that. He truly does believe that. He certainly has the game style to do that and we know how in tennis, things change very quickly. Maybe he felt the pressure the past couple years, but he is in a good space and he wants to win and is prepared.

A few years ago you told me how he is constantly thinking on the court. Is there a danger in thinking too much on the tennis court?
There can be, but he has the ability to process a lot of information, more than a lot of other players. And he maybe will overthink a strategy, and that can hurt you, saving certain shots for certain points and really getting ahead of yourself. You keep it really simple, play your game style. He can sometimes get away from that because he overthinks his strategy. We try to bring him back.

I’ll give an example. He says, ‘Then I’ll become too predictable’. I said, ‘That’s okay’. Being good is sometimes being predictable, even if the guy knows you’re doing what you’re going to do, keep doing it if it’s a winning strategy. Brilliance is boring.

What’s your favourite thing about Taylor off the court?
He’s a loyal guy. He doesn’t blame anybody. He takes full responsibility for everything he does. He’s well-behaved. It goes a long way when you talk about our industry. He takes everything on himself and he’s got a strong character. He’s an honourable guy.

Do you have any examples of his competitive spirit off the court?
He’s broken a few remote controls playing FIFA (laughs). I think when he was playing FIFA, he was trying to get into the Top 100 in the world and that took days off his life. The competitive side goes everywhere. Now he plays golf. That’s coming along. We hope he doesn’t get too caught up in the golf, but it’s good he likes to play golf.

Is it good that he has so many hobbies to take his mind off tennis?
I think so. He’s got good friends, a great physio and he’s always busy. He’s a smart guy. He’s involved in some businesses and investments. That is always good, I think.

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Food Court: Dimitrov On Cheat Meals, Mom's Cooking & The Fruit He Won't Eat

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

Ever crave a piece of chocolate late at night and worry about going off your diet? Grigor Dimitrov says, “nothing will happen if you have a piece of chocolate”!

Before the Bulgarian plays top seed Daniil Medvedev or Filip Krajinovic in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open, ATPTour.com caught up with the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion about cooking, his diet, where he goes for his cheat meals and more.

Let’s say Grigor Dimitrov is cooking tonight, whether for yourself or friends. What would you cook?
I like the vibe of cooking together. We’ve actually been cooking nearly every night with my friends and everyone around. We’ve been doing a lot of barbecues and I’ve actually been trying to stick to doing very nice steaks and enjoying all that part of it.

I just like the vibes of when everybody comes together and we do things together. I am a very big fan of that. We are making different salads and trying to maybe experiment here and there with different things. I eat pasta nearly every day at the tournament, so I think I’ve mastered that part of it. I’m a big fan of gnocchi and found a very nice recipe. Little by little when I get the chance, I like to enjoy that.

Talking about cooking, how much fun is it to try to improve it?
Baking is a good example. I’ve been trying to improve my baking a little bit and trying to find new things. The only problem with that is I always try to find myself time to do it, because I don’t feel like I have enough time to do it. I think this is where it all comes very hard for me. But I hope when I get more time, this is where I can improvise a bit more and try to perfect it.

I’m pretty good at making chocolate chip cookies to be honest. I’m trying to work on some more things, but I’m not there yet.

Although you’re a professional athlete, I’m sure at the end of the season you can let go diet-wise for at least a short time. What do you think about that?
I think it’s very important to let go, even if you have a couple of days. I think it’s good to have what I like to call a cheat day. I think it’s very good for yourself not to be obsessed and think too much of what you have to eat and when to eat and all that.

I think I usually eat very healthy, but I’m not that big on junk food or anything like that. Yes, I occasionally like to enjoy a nice snack or gummy bears, whatever it is. But for example, I’m in California now and In-N-Out Burger, of course that’s my cheat day, that would absolutely be it for me.

What’s your In-N-Out order?
Two double-doubles, one cheeseburger, big fries on the side, chocolate milkshake.

When you were younger I’m sure it took longer to be disciplined with your diet until you got used to it. For the juniors going through that now or even the fans who are looking for advice on how to deal with overcoming temptation, what would you say?
We’re surrounded by temptation on a daily basis on so many different levels. I’ve always kept things very simple. Back in Bulgaria, I grew up with very simple food. We had a farm where we got all the fresh vegetables and so on. Chicken, fish, whatever, I don’t shy away from food.

I think it’s very important — especially if you’re a professional athlete or you try to get yourself into some sort of a rhythm or a diet — to really try to focus on [what you can eat]. Let’s say you do a blood test and you know what food you’re intolerant [of], what food you digest well and what you don’t.

That gives you a ballpark of what you can eat and how you can do it and then you make yourself a menu throughout the whole week. Then you kind of follow it and alter a few things here and there and then throw things in you’d enjoy so it doesn’t get too rigorous. Simple as that, I would say.

During a tournament I’m sure it’s more strict, but are you able to throw in a cookie or something like that here or there?
Yeah, of course. But not to a point where I’m like I need to have it. Of course you’re so strict with yourself throughout the whole day for four, five weeks in a row, I think at night if you’re like, ‘Oh my God, I’m craving a piece of chocolate’, yeah, have that piece of chocolate. Nothing will happen if you have a piece of chocolate.

It can get very mental and very exhausting to try to battle these things, so why battle it? You’re already doing such an amazing job, give yourself some margin to feel good as well.

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What’s the best meal you’ve had or the best restaurant you’ve gone to?
A bunch of places, I enjoy restaurants a lot. Of course my mom’s cooking is probably the best for me, because every time, even if I’m not hungry, whatever she makes makes me become hungry. That’s the leading [food] for me that has always been like a guideline for me.

Of course everywhere you go, you want to experience different restaurants, so I always try to do it prior to the tournament. I give myself enough time to enjoy it and then get back to my routines.

Is there something you don’t like seeing on the plate and if so, why?
I cannot eat bananas. I just cannot stand bananas. That’s the one fruit I just completely can’t. I’m a very good eater, but this is something that I don’t deal too well with.

A lot of players eat bananas on court, so what do you do to replace that?
Energy gels and energy bars, apples, whatever, something like that. But never a banana.

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Karatsev Sends Shapovalov Packing In Indian Wells

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

Aslan Karatsev’s chances of closing on a Nitto ATP Finals berth received a boost at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday, after the Russian defeated ninth seed Denis Shapovalov in straight sets.

The 28-year-old, 12th in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, claimed the pair’s first ATP Head2Head meeting 7-5, 6-2 to win two matches in consecutive tournaments for the first time since Madrid and Rome in May. While Shapovalov struck four more winners than his opponent’s 12, his 26 unforced errors – including 15 off the forehand – were 12 more than the Russian committed.

Karatsev had not tasted the level of success in recent months as he had at the start of the season, on runs which included a maiden ATP 500 trophy in Dubai and a first Grand Slam semi-final at the Australian Open. Before San Diego leading in, he had not beaten a Top 20 opponent since countryman Daniil Medvedev in Rome, but has now beaten two in as many weeks.

Defeat of Hubert Hurkacz sent him into the quarter-finals in San Diego before his victory over Shapovalov sent him through to the fourth round at Indian Wells on debut. He awaits the winner of eighth seed Hurkacz or American Frances Tiafoe.

“The first thing you want to try to do is keep focusing because the weather conditions were tough for both of us,” Karatsev said. “The first set I tried to find my serve, especially on the second serve, it didn’t work. The main goal was to keep focused… It was super windy today.

“[It’s my] first time here in Indian Wells. It’s an amazing place. It’s nice to be here, to stay here, the atmosphere is really cool. The stadium is almost full, so it’s really nice to play.”

Karatsev had a pair of break points early at 2-2, but did not get another look-in on his opponent’s serve until the crucial 11th game when he converted the only break of the first set for 6-5 when Shapovalov missed a backhand volley.

The Russian closed out the set in just under an hour and only had to wait 12 minutes before he landed the first break of the second set at 1-1. The errors only mounted for the Canadian as he surrendered the double break and Karatsev closed it out a game later at the 97-minute mark.

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Puetz/Venus Upset Ram/Salisbury In Indian Wells

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

Tim Puetz and Michael Venus sprung a surprise on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open as they battled back to upset second seeds Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury 4-6, 6-4, 10-6 to reach the quarter-finals in Indian Wells.

The German-New Zealand tandem rallied from a set and a break down at 2-3, before raising their level in the Match Tie-Break to advance after one hour and 30 minutes. It is the fourth time this season the unseeded pair has reached the last eight at a tour-level event. They captured their first title as a team in Hamburg on clay in July.

In the quarter-finals Puetz and Venus will face fifth seeds Kevin Krawietz and Horia Tecau, who defeated Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey 7-6(7), 7-6(4).

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Eighth seeds Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo also advanced as they team for the time since November 2016, edging past Belgians Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen 6-4, 4-6, 10-5.

The Croatian-Brazilian pair enjoyed a run to the semi-finals as a team in Indian Wells in 2015 and moved a step closer to matching that this year, winning 80 per cent (33/41) of their first-serve points to secure their victory in one hour and 33 minutes.

They will meet Fabio Fognini and Lorenzo Sonego in the quarter-finals after the Italians received a walkover from John Isner and Jack Sock, with Isner leaving the ATP Masters 1000 event to attend the birth of his third child.

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Isner Withdraws From Indian Wells For Birth Of Third Child

  • Posted: Oct 12, 2021

American veteran John Isner has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open and is rushing home to Dallas to be bedside with wife Madison for the birth of their third child, who is expected to be delivered Tuesday.

Isner was just 20 minutes away from taking to the court for a doubles match when he received a call from his wife that their baby was coming early. His team scrambled a private jet, scheduled to depart Palm Springs less than three hours after he received the news.

“Pretty eventful day,” Isner said in a statement. “I need to go home to be with the family, that is what my duty is right now. Much more important than tennis.”

“John was all suited up and ready to play doubles when the call came from Maddy about 20 minutes before match time,” Isner’s coach David Macpherson told ATPTour.com. “He was never going to miss the birth, so it was a clear decision to get home right away.

“Coming to Indian Wells he thought he may have been able to get through the tournament, but the baby is coming a couple of weeks earlier than expected. He’s very excited and this time around they don’t know whether it will be a boy or girl.”

The Isners welcomed their first child, Hunter Grace, in 2018 and their second child, John Hobbs, in 2019.

Isner was scheduled to play doubles on Monday alongside countryman Jack Sock against Italians Fabio Fognini and Lorenzo Sonego, who advance by walkover. The 36-year-old won his second-round singles match on Sunday evening against Yoshihito Nishioka. Jannik Sinner moves on to play Matteo Berrettini or Taylor Fritz in the Round of 16.

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