ZVEREV UNTROUBLED BY MONFILS… Alexander Zverev rushed through his fourth-round clash against Gael Monfils on Stadium 1 to cap off singles action for the day, dispatching the Frenchman 6-1, 6-3. Monfils was unable to find any of the magic that has made him a fan-favorite around the globe and Zverev was clinical from all corners of the court. It’s the German No. 3 seed’s first quarter-final at the BNP Paribas Open in five main-draw appearances.
TSITSIPAS SURVIVES DE MINAUR… Looking for his first ATP Tour-level win over his former junior rival, Alex de Minaur pushed No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas to the limit but couldn’t get over the finish line in the second set tiebreak. From there, Tsitsipas, who has been struggling with a cold this week at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, raised his level and finished off the tiring Australian with conviction, 6-7(3), 7-6(3), 6-2.
HURKACZ HEADED TO QUARTERS IN FINE FORM… No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz is through to the quarter-finals in Indian Wells for the second time in as many appearances, breezing past Aslan Karatsev in a 6-1, 6-3 decision. Back in 2019, he fell to idol Roger Federer in the final eight – but this time he’ll be facing Grigor Dimitrov, another player who modelled his game off of Federer’s, for a shot at the semi-finals.
NORRIE SERVES NOTICE AGAINST PAUL… Cameron Norrie’s 2021 season just keeps getting better. The mild-mannered Briton battled past American Tommy Paul 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to reach his maiden Masters 1000 quarter-final, proving he’s one to watch heading into the new season as men’s tennis continues to grow in depth every year.
FRITZ SINKS SINNER… California native Taylor Fritz is through to his first quarter-final at the Masters 1000 level having upset No. 10 seed Jannik Sinner out on Stadium 2 on Wednesday afternoon. The 23-year-old No.31 seed employed all-court tactics to upset the rhythm of the big-hitting Italian, finally earning the breakthrough at this level that has been a long time coming in his young career.
“I think the finished version of my game, I’m going to be playing a lot like I was today. I’d like to still improve my serve even more, then have my forehand be even more reliable than it is now, more of a weapon, less errors on it… Coming to net can add another layer to my game. Just improving the return, becoming stronger and faster, which I’ve been able to do over the past couple years… Everyone kind of peaks at different times, but I’m 23 right now. I just know that I’m nowhere near where I think I’m going to be as a player.” ––Taylor Fritz on the kind of player he would like to see himself become and the improvements in his game that he’s working towards.
“The best moments are invisible moments I will say, the ones that nobody sees and you overcome. I will say that those couple moments in my life happened where I was super proud of myself which had nothing to do with tennis results.” ––Victoria Azarenka on the moments in her tennis journey that she’s most proud of.
“About Grigor, I have not much to say. He played second part of the match better than anybody did against me in US Open that I won. So again, playing this level, I don’t see him losing to anybody, but let’s see the result.” ––Daniil Medvedev on Grigor Dimitrov’s level today.
“San Diego is a great city. I mean, I enjoyed the ride in the McLaren from San Diego to here, so that was the thing I probably enjoyed the most from San Diego.” ––Hubert Hurkacz on leaving San Diego in style.
