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Second Round Awards: Swiss Showdown Wins WTA Best Match; Wawrinka, Kenin Impress
3 Min Read · March 11, 2023
With the second round of BNP Paribas Open action complete, we take a look back at some of the standout performances with our Baseline Awards. Check em out! ⬇️
🏅 [4] Taylor Fritz d. Ben Shelton
It was a match that lived up to its hype: American tennis’ present vs. its future. Fritz was able to fend off a stern challenge from Ben Shelton’s big left game, which, while effective for most of two sets, showed that the 20-year-old ace still has a bit more work to do before he’s able to reach the heights Fritz has over the past year.
For his part, Fritz showed exactly why he’s been able to crack the Top 10, demonstrating maturity in his game under pressure and the baseline solidity that won him the BNP Paribas Open title a year ago.
🏅 Jil Teichmann d. [9] Belinda Bencic – 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
It was probably the worst birthday gift Tiechmann could have given to her good friend and compatriot Bencic – a comeback win in a high-quality, nearly three-hour battle at one of the biggest tournaments in the world. Nevertheless, the two Swiss Misses put on a show for Stadium 1, with Bencic treating fans to her brilliant two-handed backhand and Teichmann proving that ranking doesn’t always reflect quality.
🏅 Jordan Thompson d. [2] Stefanos Tsitsipas – 7-6(0), 4-6, 7-6(5)
Tsitsipas was open in press about not feeling 100% fit ahead of this year’s tournament, but he put up a heck of a battle in spite of it. Thompson wasn’t to be denied, however, and always looked confident that he’d be able to pull off the win – his second over a Top 10 player – and, in doing so, blowing up the bottom section of the men’s singles draw.
🏅 Marketa Vondrousova d. [28] Marie Bouzkova – 6-1, 6-1
Look out, player field – Vondrousova is fully fit and is (once again) playing some of her best tennis in the desert. She’s made the second week of this event three times in four appearances, knocking off some pretty impressive players en route. Against Bouzkova, she wove her web of lefty spin and surprise drop shots to easily dispatch the 28th seed with the loss of just two games.
🏅 Iga Swiatek nails cross-court pass to win ridiculous defensive point.
Headline says it all. Watch it here. 🤯
🏅 John Isner wins doubles thriller with incredible forehand winner
Shoutout to defending champs John Isner and Jack Sock for this absolutely insane winner to cap off a thrilling win in their tournament opener.
🏅 Stan Wawrinka [d. Kecmanovic – 7-6(10), 6-4]
Wawrinka continues to prove that age is just a number and years of injury woes are well in the past. The three-time Grand Slam champ and his magnificent one-handed backhand upended Sunshine Swing specialist Miomir Kecmanovic in two tight sets, including an impressive 22-point tiebreak that has the Stadium 6 crowd on its feet.
🏅 Sofia Kenin [l. to Rybakina – 6-7(6), 6-7(5)]
Wild card entrant Sofia Kenin might not have gotten the win over Elena Rybakina, but she showed a high-level of tennis across two tiebreak sets against one of the in-form players of the season. The American, who has struggled with a myriad of physical issues since her breakthrough 2021 campaign, moved well, hit hard and even pulled out some of her signature drop shots to push the reigning Wimbledon champ to the brink before bowing out.
Well done.
