As week two of the BNP Paribas Open kicks off today, a much anticipated third round match is looming while select SoCal players remain in the hunt at Indian Wells.

The women’s draw has seen the departure of Rancho Santa Fe’s Coco Vandeweghe, who fell in her third round match with Maria Sakkari, falling in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Vandeweghe converted only one break point against Sakkari’s serve, while the 22-year old from Greece earned four breaks in five chances.

But the anticipation in Indian Wells revolves around a third round match between Serena and Venus Williams, a rare meeting of the sisters in early rounds. Returning from pregnancy, Serena has won her first two matches at Indian Wells, both in straight sets, while Venus took a first round bye and notched a routine win in the second round. The sisters face off this evening after 7pm.

On the men’s side, Sam Querrey (Santa Monica) returned to the BNP with a second round win over Mischa Zverev, 6-4, 7-5. Querrey is seeded #18 this week, and continues to compete in doubles with Gilles Muller. The tandem meets #4 seed Murray/Soares in the Round of 16.

The Bryan Brothers are also in the hunt as the #7 seed, having triumphed in a battle of siblings over the Zverev brothers, 6-3, 4-6, 10-1. Mike & Bob meet the Spanish tandem Busta/Marrero in the next round.

Also still alive in the men’s draw, Taylor Fritz (Palos Verdes) emerged from a first round battle with Reilly Opelka – the best man at his wedding! – to topple #27 seed Andrey Rublev in the second round, 6-4, 7-6(4). Fritz, who played well at last year’s BNP, looks comfortable again as he heads to the third round today to meet Spain’s Fernando Verdasco.

Ernesto Escobedo (West Covina) was unable to keep the momentum of his opening win over Frances Tiafoe, falling in straight sets to #28 Feliciano Lopez.

More from Indian Wells later this week!