Heliovaara & Glasspool, Mektic & Pavic Win Indian Wells Openers

Fifth seeds Harri Heliovaara and Lloyd Glasspool continued their strong start to 2023 after surviving a minor scare to reach the second round of the BNP Paribas Open Saturday.

The Britsh duo, which began the year by winning the Adelaide 1 title and last week were finalists in Dubai, needed a match tie-break in their Indian Wells opener to take down Dutchmen Matwe Middelkoop and Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 3-6, 10-6.

After suffering a first-round exit last year in Indian Wells, fourth seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic wasted no time Saturday in their opening match in the desert.

The Croatians, who won the ATP 250 in Auckland earlier this year, downed Casper Ruud and Dominic Thiem 6-3, 6-3 in front of a packed Stadium 6. Mektic and Pavic won 26 of 31 first serve points and converted four of seven break points to earn a one hour, 10 minute victory.

Eyeing their fifth Masters 1000 crown this fortnight, Mektic and Pavic have collected 15 team titles since partnering in 2021. In the round of 16, they will meet Santiago Gonzalez and Edouard Roger-Vasselin, who ousted American wild cards Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow 7-5, 6-4.