AS part of the Indian Wells ATP 1000 Masters coverage, we will be compiling the Round of 32 scores all in one place, as well as some highlighted matches from the day.

KYRGIOS GIVES CASPER RUUD AWAKENING

Australian wildcard Nick Kyrgios has walked the walk after talking the talk, by defeating nemesis Casper Ruud in the third round of Indian Wells. The pair had exchanged Twitter blows over the past couple of years after Kyrgios was defaulted from their 2019 clash, with Ruud questioning the Australian’s maturity. In returning serve, Kyrgios suggested that no one knew who Ruud was at the time, when he was ranked outside the Top 30.

As Ruud rose up the rankings, Kyrgios suggested that the Norwegian “stole points” at clay court events (playing at a high-volume amount of lower ranked tournaments), after Ruud asked Kyrgios what his favourite clay court tournament was, via an official ATP Question and Answer session.

Looking at the match in question, Kyrgios got up in a straight sets win over Ruud, saluting 6-4 6-4 in one hour and 16 minutes. The eighth seed joined a long line of high seeds out of the tournament, with Kyrgios’ serve on fire. The Australian did not drop a break of serve, producing seven aces and winning 82 per cent of his first serve points.

“It was a big one,” Kyrgios said post-match. “He’s a great player, the last two years he’s been playing some pretty great tennis. [But] tonight I played the right style. I’m just super happy at the moment, with my team around me, it’s endless support and I just managed to really play well on the big points today.

“I know what I’m capable of. “I think everyone does as well. It’s whether I put my mind to it. I feel rejuvenated. I just feel like I’m here, I’m happy, and I’m just ready to give my all every match.

“I’ve played three pretty solid players who have been playing on a lot of confidence and I’ve won three matches in straight sets. Now there are 16 players left, playing at the top of their game. This is where you want to be, and I just want to keep moving forward, keep my head down and stay positive.”

Kyrgios now advances through to take on 10th seed Jannik Sinner in what should be a blockbuster fourth round clash. The Australian said he was looking forward to the big clash.

“[Sinner is a] hell of a player,” Kyrgios said. “He’s been playing exceptionally for the last year and a half, hits the ball massive. I actually played him in doubles, and I was blown off the court with how big and how effortlessly he can play.

“I know the style of tennis I need to play as well, but I’m not going to think about that right now. I’m going to go home, enjoy my time, and get some good practice in tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.”

MEN’S ROUND OF 32 RESULTS:

[26] Gael Monfils (FRA) defeated [1] Daniil Medvedev (-) 4-6 6-3 6-1
[4] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated [27] Daniel Evans (GBR) 7-5 6-3
Jenson Brooksby (USA) defeated [5] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 1-6 6-3 6-2
[6] Matteo Berrettini (ITA) defeated [30] Lloyd Harris (RSA) 6-4 7-5
[7] Andrey Rublev (-) defeated [28] Frances Tiafoe (USA) 6-3 6-4
[WC] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) defeated [8] Casper Ruud (NOR) 6-4 6-4
[10] Jannik Sinner (ITA) defeated Benjamin Bonzi (FRA) 7-6 3-6 6-4
[11] Hubert Hurkacz (POL) defeated [WC] Steve Johnson (USA) 7-6 6-3
[12] Cameron Norrie (GBR) defeated [18] Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 3-6 6-3 6-1
[17] Reilly Opelka (USA) defeated [13] Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 6-7 6-4 6-4
[23] John Isner (USA) defeated [14] Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 7-5 6-3
[19] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) defeated [15] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 6-2 6-0
[20] Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated [Q] Jaume Munar (ESP) 6-4 2-6 7-6
[29] Alex de Minaur (AUS) defeated Tommy Paul (USA) 7-6 6-4
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) defeated [31] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) 6-3 6-4
Miomir Kecmanovic (SRB) defeated Botic Van de Zandschulp (NED) 7-6 7-5