Indian Wells: Emma Raducanu defeated Polish 20th seed Magda Linette in straight sets, 7-6 (7-3) 6-2, to advance to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.
After falling behind 4-1 in the opening set, Raducanu broke back and forced a tiebreak, which she won 7-3.
The second set was much easier; Raducanu took an early break and quickly built a 4-1 lead, which she maintained to advance easily to the third round.
In the third round, the 2021 US Open champion will play either the 13th-seeded Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia or the Czech Katerina Siniakova.
As a result of the recurrence of a wrist issue that plagued her last season, Raducanu, 20, is playing in her first competition since falling to Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open in January.
atmosphere was fun today, nice being back out there 🧡🏜️ pic.twitter.com/9sIPu7vCeR
— Emma Raducanu (@EmmaRaducanu) March 12, 2023
Prior to competing at Indian Wells, the British No. 1 withdrew from a competition in Texas and an exhibition tournament. On Thursday, she defeated Danka Kovinic 6-2, 6-3 in the opening round.
After the game, Raducanu discussed her challenges with injuries but claimed she wouldn’t want to change the course of her career.
“You wonder, like, how is this even possible sometimes,” said Raducanu.
“But after that, I believe you make your own luck. Both ways are possible. I also prevailed at the US Open. Sometimes I have to accept my poor luck because I’ve also been blessed.
“I wouldn’t change a thing about that title. Knowing that I have that in the bank, I’m just ready to do whatever it takes.”
Iga Swiatek, who is rated first, thrashed Claire Liu in 65 minutes to win Saturday’s opening match.
Swiatek, the incumbent champion and former number-one player, triumphed 6-0, 6-1.
Murray breezes by to set up the fight with Draper.
The tournament’s lucky loser Radu Albot of Moldova was defeated by Andy Murray in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, setting up an all-British third-round matchup with Jack Draper.
Murray won in straight sets for the first time this year, making 18 fewer unforced errors than his opponent’s 35.
Murray won the first set by breaking service at 5-4 and went on to win the match in an hour and 42 minutes by adding the only other break of the match midway through the second set.
I’d forgotten what that felt like. Bosh💪 https://t.co/XSXs22iTbt
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) March 12, 2023
Murray expressed his hope that he might “keep pushing myself up the rankings, keep building that confidence, and maybe have a couple more straightforward draws, as well.”
In a previous all-British match, Draper defeated Dan Evans by a score of 6-4, 6-2.
The 21-year-old defeated Evans in a match that was more difficult than the score indicated by saving 10 of the 11 break points he faced.
Murray has now placed one spot ahead of Draper, at number 55, in the world. The duo has never faced off against one another on a tour.
Murray stated that he anticipates a fantastic match with Draper, whom he has previously coached.
Murray continued, “I think he’ll be a top player for a very long time.”
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