Emma Raducanu endured a swift 52‑minute loss to Amanda Anisimova in the third round at Indian Wells. The British No. 1 was far from her best, falling 6‑1 6‑1 to the American world No. 6.
Seeded 25, Raducanu appeared to be hampered by a physical problem, repeatedly declining to retrieve drop shots. Her first serve faltered repeatedly and she managed only two winners compared with her opponent’s 21.
“I feel I can be quite satisfied with how I played today,” Anisimova told reporters on court. “My opening round was difficult, so I simply went out fearless. I wanted to enjoy it and keep the momentum going.”
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka glided into the round of 16 with a 6‑4 6‑1 victory over Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian. She will face Naomi Osaka, who required three sets to overcome Colombia’s Camila Osorio 6‑1 3‑6 6‑1.
“I can only say I tried to stay more positive,” Osaka reflected on the third set. “In the second set I complained a lot, and then I imagined my daughter watching me sulk on court. I had to lift my attitude, which I did in the third.”
In the men’s draw, second seed Jannik Sinner spent just 71 minutes securing his place in the last 16 with a 6‑3 6‑2 win over Canada’s Denis Shapovalov.
“It’s a very demanding second match for me,” Sinner said. “He’s a high‑quality player… he has had impressive victories before, so I’m very pleased with today’s showing.”
Fourth seed Alexander Zverev had to battle harder before edging Brandon Nakashima 7‑6 5‑7 6‑4 in a little over two and a half hours.
“He gave a superb performance today,” Zverev commented on Nakashima, who recorded 17 aces to Zverev’s 15. “His serving was unlike anything I’ve seen. He hit his spots consistently. Most of his aces were right on the line, so credit goes to him. He played an excellent match.”
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