INDIAN WELLS, United States: Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina fended off a determined challenge from 43rd-ranked American Hailey Baptiste to reach the third round of the Indian Wells ATP and WTA Masters 1000 on Saturday.
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The third-seeded Kazakh, who won the Indian Wells title in 2023, needed all of her patience and resolve in the face of an aggressive attack from Baptiste, but steadied herself in the final set to win 7-6 (7/5), 2-6, 6-2.
“It was a really tough match today, but I’m super-happy with the win,” said Rybakina, who beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka to claim her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne in January.
After squandering an early break in the opening set, Rybakina fought off three set points to force the tiebreaker in which three forehand winners put her in command before she pocketed the set with another.
