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Emma Raducanu is through to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after coming back to defeat Poland’s 20th seed Magda Linette in straight sets 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
Raducanu was behind 4-1 in the first set before breaking again and then took his opponent to tie break, which he claimed 7-3.
The second set was easier, with Raducanu himself opening up a 4-1 advantage after the early break and hanging on to that advantage to enter the third round.
The 2021 US Open champion will next face either Brazil’s 13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia or Czech Katerina Siniakova in the third round.
Raducanu competes in his first tournament since losing to Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open in January, with the participation of the 20-year-old who has been in doubt due to the return of the wrist problem he had last season.
The British No 1 withdrew from the event in Texas and an exhibition tournament before he took part in Indian Wells. He defeated Danka Kovinic 6-2 6-3 in the first round on Thursday.
Raducanu spoke about his injury struggles after the match, but insisted he did not want to change the course of his career.
“Sometimes you think, like, how is this possible?” Raducanu said.
“But then very quickly I think you make your own luck. It works both ways. I won the US Open too. I have to take bad luck sometimes because luck has come to me too.
“I wouldn’t trade that title for the world. I’m just prepared to take anything, knowing I have it in the bank.”
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek beat Claire Liu in the 65th minute to win Saturday’s opening match.
Swiatek, the defending champion who took over the number one ranking almost a year ago, won 6-0 6-1.
Murray eases over to set up the Draper clash
Andy Murray claimed his first outright win of the year
Andy Murray enjoyed a rare straight-sets win over tournament lucky Radu Albot of Moldova 6-4 6-3 to set up an all-English third-round showdown with Jack Draper.
It was the first straight sets win of the year for Murray, who had just 18 unforced errors compared to 35 for his opponent.
Murray broke serve at 5-4 to take the opening set, and then added the only other break of the match midway through the second set to seal victory in one hour and 42 minutes.
“Hopefully I can keep moving up the ranks, keep building that confidence, and maybe get some easier draws,” Murray said.
Draper had earlier beaten Dan Evans in another all-English encounter, winning in straight sets 6-4 6-2.
The 21-year-old saved 10 of the 11 break points he faced against Evans in a more challenging match than the final score suggested.
Draper is currently ranked 56th in the world, with Murray one place above him at 55th. The pair never played on tour.
Jack Draper outperformed fellow Englishman Dan Evans
Murray said he expects a good match against Draper, whom he has mentored in the past.
“I think he’s going to be a top player for a long time,” added Murray.
In other men’s results, defending champion Taylor Fritz beat American young gun Ben Shelton 4-6 6-4 6-3 and top seed Carlos Alcaraz beat Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-3 in the second round at Indian Wells. it’s saturday
Elsewhere, Italian 11th seed Jannik Sinner beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3 7-6(2), Canadian eighth seed Felix Auger Aliassime won 7-6(5) 6-4 against Spain’s Pedro Martinez and Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka beat 26th-ranked Czech Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6(8) 6-4.
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