Follow The Athletic’s coverage of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells
The fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells has concluded, paving the way for the quarterfinals in California’s Coachella Valley.
This article highlights standout matches and players, insights fans may have missed, and what to anticipate as the tournament approaches its climax.
A Rusty Match Yields an Incredible Point
Defending champion Jack Draper won a tightly contested fourth-round encounter against Novak Djokovic with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(5), though the score fails to capture the match’s thrilling nature.
According to Djokovic, a crucial moment in the match occurred during a 26-shot rally that he won in the first game of the third set, showcasing both the match’s intensity and the reason behind his loss. Although he won the game, the exhausting effort led to a break in the next game. Draper held the lead until 5-4, only to falter under the pressure of serving for the match.
Desert Tennis: Norrie Takes on Alcaraz
Only three men have reached the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open four times in the 2020s: Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Cameron Norrie. Norrie, who is set to face Alcaraz Thursday, has a strong affinity for the conditions in Indian Wells.
Norrie’s playing style—a combination of high-bouncing forehands and low backhands—poses challenges for opponents, and he has triumphed in three of his last five meetings against Alcaraz. Even though Alcaraz is the favorite due to his status as world No. 1, Norrie’s previous success adds intrigue to their upcoming match.
Iga Świątek’s Dominance
Iga Świątek expressed admiration for Karolína Muchová, likening her game to that of Roger Federer. In their fourth-round matchup, Świątek showcased her skills with a dominating victory of 6-2, 6-0, advancing to face Elina Svitolina.
Victoria Mboko’s Rising Career
At just 19, Victoria Mboko has swiftly ascended the ranks of tennis, earning notable victories and breaking into the top 10 after just 13 months. She will again face world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals.
A Positive Outlook for Australian Qualifiers
Australian tennis has found some optimism in the presence of Rinky Hijikata and Talia Gibson, who reached the fourth round and quarterfinals, respectively. Hijikata notably beat No. 10 seed Alexander Bublik, while Gibson achieved a milestone victory over No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini. Both players are looking to build on their success as they continue in the tournament.
Next Up: Exciting Quarterfinal Matches
Quarterfinals are set to showcase thrilling matchups, including:
- Aryna Sabalenka (1) vs. Victoria Mboko (16) – 2 p.m. ET on Tennis Channel
- Arthur Fils (30) vs. Alexander Zverev (4) – 2 p.m. ET on Tennis Channel
- Jessica Pegula (5) vs. Elena Rybakina (3) – Not before 8 p.m. ET on Tennis Channel
