Grand Slam champion pair tested in Indian Wells

Grand Slam winners Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff didn’t have it all their own way, with the pair of trophy holders forced to battle into the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters on Monday.

Sabalenka, the second seed and runner-up a year ago at the desert venue, needed four match points – she double-faulted on one of them – to finally overcome Brit Emma Raducanu, the former US open champion fighting to come back after an injury-plagued 2023 which left her on a 250th ranking.

Sabalenka got lucky as Raducanu managed to convert on just one of 10 break points against the two-time Australian Open champion.

“It was a very tough match, but I’m super-happy with the level I played to go through,” the winner said.

“I was not rushing today, I was taking my time and staying within myself.”I stayed in control and that was the key.”

Victory in 97 minutes ran Sabalenka’s WTA-leading total of Masters 1000 match wins to 82.

Gauff had a slightly easier time with Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti , who she defeated 6-2, 7-6 (5) in what should be her last match as a teenager before turning 20 on Wednesday.

Gauff has now won her sixth straight match against an Italian opponent.

“She played really well,” the Floridian said of Bronzetti. “But I was much better than in my last match – I’m improving with each one.”