Indian Wells - ATP 3rd round begins

Day Six at Indian Wells - the start of third round matches for the ATP, and third round conclusion for the WTA.

BNP Paribas Open - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard Plexipave, in Indian Wells, California, USA, 4-17 March 2019.

Defending champion:

Juan Martin del Potro (6) who defeated Roger Federer (1) 6-4 6-7(8) 7-6(2)

ATP third round

• Qualifier Marcos Giron v Milos Raonic (13)

Giron served first and survived two Raonic winners to lead 1-0.  Raonic levelled with a love game, backhand volley and forehands to the fore.  

Both players were striking the ball confidently, and serve was held well, Giron in the opening set winning 75% of points on first serve, Raonic  even better at 81%.

At 3-3, an easy forehand sent wide by the American gave Raonic a chance at 30-30.  A massive forehand return from the Canadian brought up the first break point of the match, but a Giron forehand eliminated that problem.  He held for 4-3.

At 4-5, Raonic served a double fault, then was passed by a brilliant Giron forehand.  Another forehand winner gave Giron two set points.  An ace dismissed one, but a backhand from the American forced a Raonic error and the set was Giron’s 6-4

Set two saw Raonic solid on serve, 79% of first attempts landing legitimately.  Giron found it near impossible to crack the Canadian serve, but importantly for the most part stood firm when he was required to deliver.

The perfect example came in the 10 minute third game, where he saved three break points before holding for 2-1.

However, at 3-3, Giron faced another break point when Raonic sent past him an off forehand winner.  The break came and Raonic led 4-3.

No more break chances and Raonic served out the set 6-4.

In the decider, Giron held to love, then had three break points on the Raonic serve.  An ace saved one, but a power laden forehand did the trick and the lead was 2-0.

In attempting to consolidate, Giron was down 0-40, but managed to dig himself out of the hole and extend the advantage to 3-0.

4-1 after Raonic failed to convert yet another break point. 

At this stage, the Canadian was looking at the exit gate, but the match turned sharply.

Raonic, in the seventh game broke back, and with a love game on serve,  consolidated to 4-4.

At 30-30 Raonic hit a backhand volley to produce break point.  It was saved, but the second break point was converted with a quality forehand from Raonic.

Serving for the match, Raonic had no issues, racing to 40-0.  He won on the second match point, 4-6 6-4 6-4

• Ivo Karlovic defeated qualifier Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-3 7-6(3)
• Jan-Lennard Struff defeated fellow German Alexander Zverev (3) in a major upset 6-3 6-1
• Gaël Monfils (18) defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-0 6-3
• Lucky loser Miomir Kecmanovic defeated wildcard Laslo Djere (30) 6-2 7-6(3)
• Dominic Thiem (7) defeated Gilles Simon (27) 6-3 6-1
• Yoshihito Nishioka defeated wildcard Félix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(2) 6-4 7-6(5)
• Novak Djokovic (1) leads Philipp Kohlschreiber 1-0 (delayed)