Griekspoor continues run to make first Indian Wells quarter-final

Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor beat Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki 7-6 (4), 6-1 to move into the last eight of the Indian Wells Masters in California on Tuesday.

After a tight opening set, Griekspoor did well to keep his focus over multiple rain delays to see off Watanuki and book his spot in the quarter-finals.

“That means a lot,” said Griekspoor, who knocked out top seed Alexander Zverev ealrier in the tournament. “It’s never easy to get back playing after such a good win. At the same time I felt like it was about time that win was coming. Just got a lot of confidence from it.

“Played two very good matches ever since. Tricky opponent today. I’ve seen him play all week. Unbelievable shot making. Great mover. So I’m very happy how I handled it today. Very proud of myself.”

Griekspoor, ranked No 43, will face the winner of the match between Dane Holger Rune, the No 12 seed, and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the No 8 seed, next.

The Dutchman won against Serb Miomir Kecmanovic (6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3), German Alexander Zverev, the top seed (4-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4)) and Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, the No 29 seed (7-6 (3), 6-3) ahead of his victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Watanuki, ranked No 349, defeated Kazakh Alexander Bublik (6-3, 3-6, 6-3), No 19 seed Tomas Machac (4-6, 4-2 ret.) and American Frances Tiafoe, the No 16 seed (6-4, 7-6 (6)).

Indian Wells Masters 1000, other last 16 results (Indian Wells Tennis Garden, hard, USD 13.042.410, most recent results first):

• Tommy Paul vs. Daniil Medvedev
• Grigor Dimitrov vs. Carlos Alcaraz
• Francisco Cerundolo vs. Alex De Minaur
• Jack Draper vs. Taylor Fritz
• Brandon Nakashima vs. Ben Shelton
• Marcos Giron vs. Arthur Fils
• Holger Rune vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas: tuesday