Indian Wells: Federer, Nadal march ahead, Muguruza stunned
Five-time BNP Paribas Open winner Roger Federer thrashed Briton Kyle Edmund to book a quarter-final berth at Indian Wells. The veteran Swiss ace was joined by Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who overcame Filip Krajinovic. In the women's section, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza was stunned by Canada's Bianca Andreescu in the last eight. Here is the summary of key results.
Federer, who recently won his career 100th ATP title, is on the hunt to pocket his sixth honor in California. He beat Edmund 6-1, 6-4 and is yet to drop a set in the tournament. Federer saved all seven break points and won 79% of first-serve points. "He's got everything in the game, it's just a matter of keeping improving," Federer said of Edmund.
Second seed Nadal also reached the last eight with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory against Krajinovic. The Spaniard will face Karen Khachanov next. Russia's Karen enjoyed a solid 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) win over American John Isner. Hubert Hurkacz saw off 24th seed Denis Shapovalov 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 6-3 and will face Federer. Gael Monfils and Dominic Thiem will fight in the quarters on Friday.
Canada's Bianca Andreescu continued her dream form and thrashed former world number one Muguruza 6-0, 6-1 in just 52 minutes. The 18-year-old teen reached her third semi-final of the year. Bianca has won a staggering 26 of 29 matches in 2019. This will help her climb inside the top 40 of the WTA rankings next week. She was 152nd at the start of 2019.
Andreescu will take on sixth seed Elina Svitolina in the semi-finals. The Ukrainian star beat Czech Marketa Vondrousova 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in three sets. Her determination paid off in the end. "Not every day you play your best game, you just have to stay strong and stay calm and fight for every ball," Svitolina said post her victory.
Veteran Venus Williams will take on Angelique Kerber in the quarters on Friday 5:30 AM IST. Karolina Pliskova will face Belinda Bencic in the remaining quarter-final draw later tonight at 11:30 PM IST.
