Hurkacz & Dimitrov Topple Tricky Tests At Indian Wells

Hubert Hurkacz and Grigor Dimitrov faced tricky opponents on Tuesday evening at the BNP Paribas Open, but both advanced to the fourth round unscathed.

The 11th-seeded Hurkacz, who claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title last year in Miami, defeated American Steve Johnson 7-6(7), 6-3. Hurkacz will next play seventh seed Andrey Rublev or 28th seed Frances Tiafoe.

The Indian Wells Tennis Garden has proven a happy venue for Hurkacz, who reached the quarter-finals here on his first two appearances in 2019 and 2021. A win in the fourth round will make it three consecutive trips to the quarter-finals for the Pole at the Masters 1000 event.

Although the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals competitor eliminated Johnson in straight sets, it was a tough test for the 25-year-old. Hurkacz’s coach is Craig Boynton, who previously worked with Johnson, so the players know each other well.

In the crucial moments in the first set, Johnson’s devastating forehand was not firing on all cylinders and Hurkacz was able to approach to the Californian’s backhand to get out of trouble. He saved two set points before closing out the first set and carried that momentum to a one-hour, 29-minute triumph.

Hurkacz hit 13 aces and saved all three break points he faced. The four-time ATP Tour titlist is now 9-2 at Indian Wells after ousting the home favourite.

Grigor Dimitrov made the long journey to Indian Wells seven times before last year’s first-time fall event. He never made the Round of 16 in those seven appearances. The eighth time was the charm, as Dimitrov advanced to the 2021 semi-finals before losing to eventual winner Cameron Norrie.

Could it be two big runs in six months in the California desert for the Bulgarian? Tuesday, the 33rd seed dismantled 31st seed Alexander Bublik 6-3, 6-4 in a clinical, 69-minute performance. Dimitrov won 41 of 51 service points and made just nine unforced errors to 13 winners. Their career series is now tied at 2-all.

Bublik is one of the most entertaining players on the ATP Tour. The Kazakhstani star pulled out all the tricks against the former World No. 3, but found no answers.

Dimitrov next meets 23rd seed John Isner, who was a 7-5, 6-3 winner over 14th seed Diego Schwartzman 7-5, 6-3.