In-form Tsitsipas goes past Berrettini to reach Indian Wells fourth round

Stefanos Tsitsipas registered a comprehensive 6-3, 6-3 win against Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday. This was Greek’s seventh consecutive win as he continued his good form on the tour.

Tsitsipas was able to make the most of the slow court conditions and delivered against the Italian. He had recently also beaten the Italian in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championship en route to his maiden ATP 500 title

With this win, Tsitsipas improved his head-to-head record against Berrettini to 5-1.

“I have to focus on my serve, that’s the priority,” said Tsitsipas, who won 92 per cent (22/24) of first-serve points, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “I’m thinking of how I am going to hold serve, how I’m going to press the opponent. There’s an added bonus of holding easier, you have more time to focus on the return.”

On the other hand, Holger Rune defeated 18th seed Ugo Humbert 5-7, 6-4, 7-5 to advance to the fourth round.

“Nothing was easy today from my side,” the 21-year-old Dane said. “I was digging deep and finding solutions. Timing wasn’t there at the beginning but I think my mentality is what got me through today.”

Rune will take on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the round of 16.

In another contest, Japanese qualifier Yosuke Watanuki stunned Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6. 

“I’m speechless. I can’t find my words but I’m so happy to be here. I got injured last year, so I’m happy just to stay on the court,” said Watanuki, who missed the bulk of last season with a knee injury.

“The most [important] thing about me, sometimes I’m a little bit nervous, sometimes I’m feeling down with the mentality. We tried to figure out that part. I try to enjoy more, even when I miss. A winner is much better, but even the miss I enjoy. That was the beauty here for me today.”