Sabalenka overcomes impressive Raducanu in absorbing Indian Wells encounter

Aryna Sabalenka beat Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-5. She’ll play the winner of the match between Elina Svitolina and Emma Navarro in the next round

11 March 2024

Aryna Sabalenka (James Gourley/Shutterstock/SIPA)

Jamie Malachy

Writer

BNP Paribas Open •Third round • completed

See draw

E. RaducanuvsA. Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka battled her way into the last 16 at Indian Wells, defeating Emma Raducanu 6-3, 7-5 in a closely fought and highly watchable third-round match.

The world No 2 was pushed hard by an impressive Raducanu, who is only appearing in Indian Wells this year courtesy of a wildcard as she continues her comeback from an eight-month injury lay-off.

In their first competitive meeting, both players started well, striking the ball confidently and trying to impose themselves in the baseline exchanges. But baseline battles are something Sabalenka rarely loses, and the Belarusian was the more comfortable of the two across the opening set.

She secured the break in the sixth game as her consistent depth and power began to puncture holes in the Briton’s serve and defence.

That sole break was enough for Sabalenka to take the set, although Raducanu ensured she would have to serve it out, saving a break point on her own serve at 5-2 down to put the pressure back onto her opponent.

But Sabalenka held serve after another close game to move into a deserved one-set lead after a testing opening stanza.

raducanu’s returning poses problems for sabalenka in tight second set

Sabalenka made the first move in the second set also, breaking Raducanu in the fifth game only for the Briton to hit straight back in the sixth with some superb returning.

Raducanu’s scintillating returning game was one of the themes of the second set as she consistently put her opponent’s serve under pressure with well-placed, probing returns.

A tiebreak seemed likely, but Sabalenka struck a decisive blow in the eleventh game, breaking Raducanu to serve for the match.

In a gripping final game, Raducanu lay siege to the Belarusian’s serve, testing its resolve under extreme pressure as she generated three break point opportunities.

Sabalenka proved resolute, however, saving all three before finally getting over the line on her fourth match point.

“It was a tough match. She [Raducanu] played unbelievable tennis,” Sabalenka said in her on-court interview.

“I’m super happy with the level today, very happy to get through this round.

“I think I wasn’t rushing things, I was just staying with myself and doing everything I could to win this match.”

Next up for Sabalenka, a finalist at Indian Wells last year, will be facing the winner of the match between Elina Svitolina and Emma Navarro for a place in the quarter-finals.

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