March 12, (THEWILL) – Daniil Medvedev defeated Tommy Paul 6-4 6-0 at Indian Wells after multiple rain delays pushed their match to a 10:00 pm start. The Russian player took advantage of Paul’s 31 unforced errors to advance to the quarterfinals. “Pretty strange score,” Medvedev noted. “Whoever won some games won them in a row.”
Medvedev will next face France’s Arthur Fils, who triumphed over American Marcos Giron 6-2 2-6 6-3 in another match disrupted by weather conditions. In the women’s draw, defending champion Iga Swiatek needed just 57 minutes to dispatch Karolina Muchova 6-1, 6-1 despite slippery court conditions towards the end of their contest.
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina demonstrated mental fortitude through the challenging conditions, warming up “maybe like 10 times” throughout the day before ultimately upsetting world No 4 Jessica Pegula 5-7 6-1 6-2. She will meet 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva, who continued her excellent form by defeating 2023 champion Elena Rybakina 6-1 6-2.
Denmark’s Holger Rune halted Stefanos Tsitsipas’ seven-match winning streak with a 6-4 6-4 victory, featuring a remarkable between-the-legs shot when facing a breakpoint at 4-3 in the second set. “Mentally, I was very, very good,” Rune stated. “I think that is what made the difference – how composed I was able to stay.”
The tournament schedule remains in flux due to persistent rain interruptions, with Tallon Griekspoor advancing via a 7-6 (7/4) 6-1 win against Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki. Griekspoor, ranked 43rd, previously eliminated top seed Alexander Zverev and will face Rune in the next round as the competition moves toward its conclusion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
