Indian Wells: Cameron Norrie wins but Dan Evans beaten by Rafael Nadal
Norrie, 26, beat 30-year-old Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 3-6 6-3 6-1 in a repeat of the men’s 2021 final.
Spaniard Nadal, 35, who has not lost in 2022, overcame 31-year-old Evans 7-5 6-3 as he secured a 17th straight win.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev was beaten in the last 32 by Gael Monfils and will lose his world number one ranking.
Norrie will play Jenson Brooksby in the fourth round after the 21-year-old American caused an upset by knocking out Stefanos Tsitsipas 1-6 6-3 6-2.
“Jenson’s not the most traditional player. He’s a tricky player, and he’s got good hands,” said Norrie.
“I’ve always wanted to play him and feel what it’s like to play him. I’m looking forward to that, and it’s a little bit of a rivalry.
“He went to Baylor, which is Texas Christian University’s rival school (where Norrie studied) so hopefully I can get him on that one.”
Evans started well against Nadal and broke early to lead 3-1 and 4-2 but the world number four broke serve twice to win the opening set.
An early break in set two was enough to see Nadal go on and take the match.
Nadal, who staged an epic fightback to beat American Sebastian Korda in the previous round, is the man to beat at the moment – as Evans acknowledged.
“It’s tough to explain the feeling you get against him,” said Evans. “He played very well, I thought, he was very aggressive and he didn’t really give me much chance to come forward.
“I was happy with the way I played. It’s a terrible match-up for me – it would be nice to have a double-handed backhand in this situation.”
Nadal will play American Reilly Opelka in the next round after he beat Canada’s Denis Shapovalov 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-4.
“I have been playing after a couple of games better and better. That is important for confidence and playing against a good opponent like Dan is good for me,” said Nadal.
“I think the match at the beginning was difficult. He put me under pressure going to the net. It was not easy to put him in tough positions. I hit a couple of important passing shots at important moments.”
Medvedev’s defeat, meanwhile, means his position at the top of the rankings will span just three weeks and Serbia’s Novak Djokovic will become world number one again from Monday.
Frenchman Monfils secured a 6-4 3-6 6-1 win by converting his sixth match point and celebrated his surprise victory over the Russian by pointing to his Ukrainian wife Elina Svitolina in the stands.
“I’m in my zone and I’m a tough opponent for anyone,” said 35-year-old Monfils, who will play Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the last 16.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve beaten a world number one, so I’m pretty happy. I’ve had a strong start to the year, I felt strong and was moving well.”
Alcaraz, seeded 19, advanced to the last 16 with a confident 6-2 6-0 demolition of compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut, the 15th seed.
Elsewhere on Monday in the women’s draw, Greece’s Maria Sakkari, looking to build on a breakout 2021 which included two Grand Slam semi-finals appearances, reached the last 16 by overwhelming the Czech Republic’s two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova 6-3 6-0.
Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova beat Estonian fourth seed Anett Kontaveit 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) in a match that lasted two hours and 50 minutes.
Defending women’s champion Paula Badosa was pushed in the first set of her match against fellow Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo before earning a 7-6 (7-4) 6-1 victory.
Leylah Fernandez, who lost to Emma Raducanu in last year’s US Open final, made it into the last 16 with a 6-1 3-6 6-3 win over Shelby Rogers, while Elena Rybakina secured a 6-3 6-4 win against Victoria Azarenka.
Azarenka, who had right shoulder heavily taped and a sleeve placed on her right arm, crouched down and cried after a double fault in the fifth game of the second set.
The umpire asked if she needed medical attention but she continued before losing in straight sets.
source: bbc sports
