Opelka, Hurkacz Advance In Indian Wells
Reilly Opelka improved to 11-5 at ATP Masters 1000 events in 2021 Saturday with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Japan’s Taro Daniel to reach the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Opelka put on a serving exhibition on Stadium 1, firing 11 aces and winning 90 per cent (26/29) of first-serve points. The 16th seed, who has now won 10 of his past 14 matches, also did not face a break point.
Hats off to Saturday in Tennis Paradise ????
The sun is shining on @emirates Day at #BNPPO21 ☀️ pic.twitter.com/Ne4VXVLwXT BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) October 9, 2021
Next up for the 24-year-old will be 23rd seed Grigor Dimitrov or Daniel Altmaier.
The American was the finalist at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers in August, losing to World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in the final. Opelka is a two-time champion on the ATP Tour, with victories in New York in 2019 and Delray Beach in 2020, but is yet to win a title in 2021.
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Hubert Hurkacz began his campaign to lift a second ATP Masters 1000 title Saturday with a 6-1, 7-5 victory against Alexei Popyrin.
The 24-year-old Pole is a three-time champion on the ATP Tour in 2021, including a maiden ATP Masters 1000 triumph at the Miami Open. Hurkacz defeated Italian Jannik Sinner in the final to become Poland’s first ATP Masters 1000 champion.
Hurkacz was broken for the first time when serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set, but maintained his composure to win the next two games and advance. The eighth seed put constant pressure on Popyrin's serve, breaking the 22-year-old Australian four times.
A debut at the Nitto ATP Finals, which will be held from 14-21 November, is in reach for Hurkacz, who is currently ninth in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. He was recently overtaken in the Race by Casper Ruud following the Norwegian’s victory at the San Diego Open last week.
Hurkacz will next take on the winner of the all-American clash between 32nd seed Sebastian Korda and Frances Tiafoe.