2020 Indian Wells fantasy tennis: Top seeds get through, but not without a fight
IT was a massive day at Indian Wells on day six of the fantasy tennis competition, with plenty of popcorn-worthy matches on show across the competition. Five of the eight matches went to three sets, with three of the top 10 seeds having to fight hard in order to move through to the Round of 16. They included world number one, Novak Djokovic and world number three, Daniil Medvedev who both dropped their second set against top 30 opponents before holding firm in the decider to move through to the last 16.
Djokovic’s opponent knows his game better than most, in compatriot Filip Krajinovic. After the Serbian star and Grand Slam champion got the better of Krajinovic in the first set, the 30th seed hit back with an unexpected break late in the second set to take it and level the match. This only spurred on the top seed, smashing his opponent and friend, 6-1 in the final set for a 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory. Medvedev also had his work cut out for him against Georgian, Nikoloz Basilashvili. The 26th seed levelled the match in the second set, but the consistency of the Russian saw him home and into the last 16, 6-4 3-6 6-2. The other top seven seeds had better luck with Alexander Zverev downing a compatriot for the second straight match, ousting 32nd seed, Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 6-2, while Matteo Berrettini knocked out giant-killer Marton Fucsovics, 6-1 6-3.
In other other results, Diego Schwartzman was the only other seed to win in straight sets by dismissing Romanian, Radu Albot 6-1 7-6. Tenth seed Italian, Fabio Fognini managed to survive a barrage of aces from the much taller John Isner, winning 6-4 4-6 6-3 in three hour and two minutes. Meanwhile teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated 14th seed Karen Khachanov despite dropping the second set to love, winning 7-5 0-6 7-6 thanks to four consecutive winners in the deciding tiebreak. The final match of the day was 16th seed Stan Wawrinka booking a fourth round match against Djokovic thanks to a 7-5 2-6 6-1 win over 24th seed Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta.
Four matches take place tomorrow, with four top 10 players going up against those players hoping to break into the top 10. First up is reigning champion Dominic Thiem up against Grigor Dimitrov, followed by fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas taking on 11th seed, Roberto Bautista Agut. In the evening, it is eighth seed Gael Monfils facing off against 17th seed Cristian Garin, while world number two Rafael Nadal meets Denis Shapovalov in the final match of the day.
ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated [30] Filip Krajinovic (SRB) 6-2 3-6 6-1
[3] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) defeated [26] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 6-4 3-6 6-2
[6] Alexander Zverev (GER) defeated [32] Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 7-6 6-2
[7] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) defeated Marton Fucsovics (HUN) 6-1 6-3
[10] Fabio Fognini (ITA) defeated [20] John Isner (USA) 6-4 4-6 6-3
[12] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) defeated Radu Albot (ROU) 6-1 7-6
[19] Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) defeated [14] Karen Khachanov (RUS) 7-5 0-6 7-6
[16] Stan Wawrinka (SUI) defeated [24] Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 7-5 2-6 6-1