Denis Shapovalov cruised to victory within the second spherical at Indian Wells, defeating qualifier Adam Walton 6-3, 6-2.
After seeing his eight-match win streak, which included his third-career title, snapped within the semifinals in Dallas, Shapovalov bought again on observe with an early-round win on the BNP Paribas Open.
He’ll advance to the third spherical to face the No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz.
Shapovalov bought off to an excellent begin within the second-round match, breaking Walton in his second service sport to take a 3-1 lead. Nonetheless, the Australian got here proper again with a break of his personal to even the set. Walton had an excellent likelihood to flip the match on its head up 0-40 with three break probabilities however Shapovalov was in a position to combat off all three probabilities to take the sport and regain the benefit within the set.
The 25-year-old would carry that momentum ahead and win the remaining two video games to take the primary 6-3. Shapovalov was wonderful together with his again in opposition to the wall, saving six of seven break factors within the first set and eight-of-10 general.
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The 2 as soon as once more exchanged breaks early within the second set. Shapovalov grabbed all of the momentum when he earned his second break of the set to take a 3-2 lead. He wouldn’t drop a sport for the remainder of the match as he rolled to victory.
Shapovalov put strain on Walton’s serve all day, breaking the qualifier 5 instances and permitting him to win simply 57 per cent of his first serve factors and 24 per cent of his second serves.
Shapovalov is 0-1 in opposition to Alcaraz head-to-head. Their lone match got here within the spherical of 32 at Roland-Garros in 2023 the place the Canadian misplaced in straight units.
The Canadian entered the match because the twenty seventh seed and in good kind after reaching the semis in Acapulco final week and profitable his first title of the season on the Dallas Open in early February.
Auger-Aliassime ousted by Brooksby
Félix Auger-Aliassime couldn’t proceed his early 2025 momentum within the first 1000-level match of the ATP season, dropping his opening match at Indian Wells to Jenson Brooksby in straight units 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Auger-Aliassime acquired a bye to the second spherical of the BNP Paribas Open because the match’s No. 17 seed however was handily defeated by his opponent, who defeated Benjamin Bonzi to achieve the second spherical.
The 24-year-old Canadian struggled together with his often dependable serve, profitable simply 67 per cent of his first serve factors to Brooksby’s 79 per cent.
Brooksby will face Jack Draper within the third spherical.
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Brooksby took management of the match late within the first, breaking Auger-Aliassime to go up 5-4. The American would shut out the set on serve, saving a pair of break factors to take the primary set 6-4.
Issues almost fell aside for the Montreal native early within the second set as he fell behind 15-40 on function Brooksby appeared to take management of the match together with his second break. Auger-Aliassime compelled a deuce together with his first ace of the match and compelled a pair of errors from his opponent to carry serve and take a 2-1 lead.
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The reduction was short-lived for Auger-Aliassime, as Brooksby accomplished his subsequent break alternative on the Canadian’s subsequent service sport to take a 3-2 lead. Brooksby would cruise from that time on and didn’t drop one other sport for the rest of the match.
This was the second match between the 2, with Brooksby additionally profitable the primary on the Citi Open in 2021.
Auger-Aliassime entered the match because the ATP Tour chief in wins (16), finals (3), and titles (2).
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Fernandez falls to Cristian
Jaqueline Cristian rallied after dropping the primary set to defeat Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez 5-7, 7-6 (5), 6-3 within the second spherical at Indian Wells.
The Canadian was damaged 4 instances within the match together with twice within the third-and-deciding set.
Fernandez is now on a three-match dropping streak after falling to Elise Mertens within the first spherical in Dubai and to Amanda Anisimova within the Spherical of 16 on the Qatar Open.
It’s the second consecutive yr that the Laval, Que., native has bowed out in her first match at Indian Wells after dropping to Diane Perry within the second spherical in 2024.
The world No. 79 advances to tackle Jasmine Paolini within the third spherical.
Cristian used her energy early within the match to interrupt Fernandez and leap out to an early 2-0 lead and appeared poised to take command of the primary set however Fernandez fought again for a break of her personal to get again on serve.
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The Canadian squandered an opportunity to interrupt Cristian for a second time, incomes a double break level with the primary set tied 4-4 earlier than the Romanian rallied to take the sport. Fernandez took management of the primary set after firing a spectacular backhand winner to earn one other double break level. This time, she wouldn’t miss the chance and accomplished her second break to go up 6-5 and was in a position to maintain serve to win the primary set.
It was extra of the identical for Fernandez to start the second set after she hit a spectacular cross-court forehand to shut out the primary sport at like to go up a set and a break.
Cristian flipped the match on its head after happening 3-1 within the second set, breaking the Canadian for the second time within the match to get again on serve. Fernandez was getting ready to dropping the set whereas on serve however battled again to even issues at 5-5 after Cristian hit a pair of returns broad.
Going through one other pair of set factors, Fernandez once more held serve to drive a tiebreaker however was unable to capitalize as Cristian took the tiebreaker 7-5 to drive a 3rd set.
Cristian instantly gained the higher hand within the third, breaking Fernandez on the primary service sport, whereas holding on each of her alternatives. She broke Fernandez once more to go up a pair of breaks and wouldn’t relinquish the lead.
Fellow Canadian Gabriel Diallo had his run at Indian Wells minimize brief on Friday after he was bounced by twentieth seed Arthur Fils within the second spherical in straight units 6-2, 6-2. The Montreal native entered the principle draw because the fortunate loser and superior to the second spherical following a three-set win over Zhizhen Zhang.
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