Taylor Fritz and Tommy Ball advanced to the third round in style at Indian Wells

American duo Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul advanced to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Monday.

Defending champion Fritz defeated Argentine Sebastian Paez 6-1, 6-2 in the third round.

Fourth-ranked Fritz served four aces and won 88% of his first serve points against 30th-ranked Baez.

Paul defeated ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz 4-6 6-2 6-4. Three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, who defeated No. 7 seed Holger Rohn, 2-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, also advanced.

Ron saved a match point and rallied from behind 2-5 to win the second set tiebreaker. But Wawrinka recovered in the third game to dispatch his 19-year-old opponent.

Defending Indian Wells champion Taylor Fritz destroyed Sebastien Paez in the third round

His American compatriot, Tommy Ball, has had a tough time with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, but is still ahead

“The last 45 minutes were difficult,” Wawrinka said after the match. I controlled the match and was playing well.

“I was pushing so hard, I should have won the match way before.”

Wawrinka reached the fourth round in the Southern California Desert for the first time since 2017, when he lost in the final. He turns 38 next month.

“All my career I’ve only known it one way,” said Wawrinka. To keep fighting, working, pushing myself and staying positive. I am very happy to win.”

No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime avoided a sudden error and beat Francisco Sirondolo, 7-5, 6-4.

In the women’s event, #5 Caroline Garcia outlasted Leila Fernandez, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1.

No. 10 seed Elena Rybakina beat defending champion and partner Paula Badusa 6-3, 7-5.

Three-time slam champion Stan Wawrinka defeated Denmark’s Holger Rohn in three tough sets