Scheduled to open on the central, filled with 16,000 people, Daniil Medvedev, who is defending his status as world No.1 for the first time in Indian Wells, passed without a hitch, dismissing 6-3 6-2 Thomas Macac.
Without forcing, he was solid against the Czech (158th) from qualifying, converting three of the seven break points he got. He concluded on his third match point in 1h11.
“I think I was regular. The first set was quite tight and I made the difference in the key points. Contrary to what the score suggests, it was not easy“said the Russian, who will face the French on Monday Gael Monfils (N.26) Serbian knocker Filip Krajinovic (6-3, 6-4).
Greek Stéfanos Tsitsipas (N.5) had to whip against the American Jack Sock 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5). Also qualified, the Norwegian Casper Ruud (N.8), the Spanish hope Carlos Alcaraz (N.19) and the defending champion, the Briton Cameron Norrie (N.12), who will face the Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvilifor a remake of the last finale.
The first big surprise of the tournament came from the women’s draw.
Aryna Sabalenka3rd in the world and therefore the highest ranked player, due to the absence of the Australian Ashleigh Barty (N.1) and the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (N.2), did not escape the stampede, beaten as soon as she entered the running (2-6, 6-3, 6-3) by the Italian Jasmine Paolini (46e).
The Spanish defending champion Paula Badosa (N.5), the Estonian Anett Kontaveit (N.4) and the Greek Maria Sakkari (N.6) held their rank.
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