BNP PARIBAS | Indian Wells CA | SUNDAY MARCH 12

Thanks for following your American hopefuls with SCTA coverage of the BNP Paribas Open!

With the headlining attractions of the main draw now garnering headlines out of Indian Wells, top Americans are still in the hunt and seeking a path to the second week at BNP Paribas Open. After a rousing second round victory, Kayla Day (Santa Barbara) returned to form but faced a formidable challenge while Sam Querrey (Santa Monica) met a strong challenge from a familiar countryman.

Day was convincing in the first set against Spain’s Garbine Muguruza, winning 6-3 in the opening frame of her third round match-up. But the world #7 Muguruza turned up the level of play in subsequent sets, toppling Day 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Despite the result, Day was the brightest among young American women looking to break through in 2017, and the crowd at Indian Wells voiced their collective approval in supporting Day throughout.

Meanwhile, Querrey is fresh off an upset of Rafael Nadal at the finals of Acapulco earlier this month. Faced with second round opponent Donald Young, Querrey was stunned in the opening set by the young man from Illinois who’d already bumped American Stefan Koslov in the opening round. This time against a more seasoned veteran, the 27 year old Young continued his spirited play in the desert, splitting sets with Querrey before notching an impressive victory, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. He’ll face Frenchman Lucas Pouille, the #14 seed, in the next round.

In tonight’s action, Taylor Fritz (Rancho Santa Fe) meets a formidable opponent in Marin Cilic, the #6 seed at Indian Wells and #7 ranked player in the world. Steve Johnson (Redondo Beach) is about to take the court for his late afternoon match, while top ranked US player Jack Sock plays under the stars this evening.

Bethanie Mattek-Sands, one half of the top seeded doubles tandem, is also slated for late afternoon play with her partner, Lucie Safarova. Vania King (Monterey Park) remains in doubles contention is the #7 seed, despite an injury in her first round singles match. And Venus Williams will be back in the spotlight on Monday after securing a shaky second round victory on Saturday.

AROUND THE GROUNDS at Indian Wells

If he advances from the Men’s second round, the #15 seeded Nick Kyrgios may become an underdog favorite in Indian Wells. The fiery Aussie bounced Mike & Bob Bryan from doubles competition last night, and previously took Querrey to three tough sets in the Acapulco semifinals. A showdown with Roger Federer looms in the competitive lower half of the Men’s bracket.