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Emma Raducanu through to Indian Wells third round after straight-sets win over Magda Linette

British No 1 Emma Raducanu beats Polish 20th seed Magda Linette 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 to reach Indian Wells third round; Andy Murray claims first straight-set win of 2023, against Radu Albot, to set up all-British third-round clash with Jack Draper, who knocked out compatriot Dan Evans

Emma Raducanu, second round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells
Image: Emma Raducanu is through to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells

Emma Raducanu is through to the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells after coming back to beat Polish 20th seed Magda Linette in straight sets 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.

Raducanu had trailed 4-1 in the first set before breaking back and then taking her opponent to a tie break, which she claimed 7-3.

The second set was far more straightforward, with Raducanu herself opening up a 4-1 advantage after an early break and hanging on to that advantage to breeze through to the third round.

The 2021 US Open champion will next face either 13th-seeded Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia or Czech Katerina Siniakova in the third round.

Raducanu is competing in her first tournament since losing to Coco Gauff in the second round of the Australian Open in January, with the 20-year-old's participation having been in doubt due to the return of a wrist problem she was troubled with last season.

The British No 1 withdrew from an event in Texas and an exhibition tournament prior to her involvement at Indian Wells. She beat Danka Kovinic 6-2 6-3 in the first round on Thursday.

Raducanu spoke about her injury struggles after the match, but insisted she wouldn't want to change the way her career has played out.

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"Sometimes you wonder, like, how is this possible?" Raducanu said.

"But then very quickly I think you create your own luck. It works both ways. I won the US Open as well. I have to take the bad luck sometimes because good fortune has also come upon me.

"I wouldn't trade that title for the world. I'm just prepared to take whatever it takes, knowing that I have that in the bank."

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek routed Claire Liu in 65 minutes to win her opening match on Saturday.

Swiatek, the defending champion who took over the number one ranking nearly a year ago, won 6-0 6-1.

Murray eases through to set up Draper clash

March 11, 2023 Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates winning his match against Radu Albot of Moldova during the 2023 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. Mandatory Photo Credit: Charles Baus/CSM (Credit Image: .. Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire) (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)
Image: Andy Murray claimed his first straight-sets victory of the year

Andy Murray enjoyed a rare straight-sets win over tournament lucky loser Radu Albot of Moldova 6-4 6-3 to set up an all-British third-round showdown with Jack Draper.

It was a first straight-sets victory of the year for Murray, who had just 18 unforced errors compared to his opponent's 35.

Murray crucially broke serve at 5-4 to take the opening set, and then added the only other break of the match midway through the second set to seal victory in an hour and 42 minutes.

"Hopefully I can keep pushing myself up the rankings, keep building that confidence, and maybe get a few more straightforward draws, as well," Murray said.

Draper earlier beat Dan Evans in another all-British meeting, triumphing in straight sets 6-4 6-2.

The 21-year-old saved 10 of the 11 break points he faced against Evans in an encounter that was more challenging than the final score suggested.

Draper is currently ranked 56th in the world, with Murray one place above him in 55th. The pair have never previously played each other on tour.

Jack Draper, of Britain, returns a shot to Daniel Evans, of Britain, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Saturday, March 11, 2023, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Image: Jack Draper outlasted fellow Brit Dan Evans

Murray said he expects a great match against Draper, who he has mentored in the past.

"I think he'll be a top player for a long time," Murray added.

In other men's results, defending champion Taylor Fritz battled back against fellow American young gun Ben Shelton 4-6 6-4 6-3 and top seed Carlos Alcaraz breezed past Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-3 in second-round action at Indian Wells on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Italian 11th seed Jannik Sinner beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-3 7-6(2), eighth seed Felix Auger Aliassime of Canada was a 7-6(5) 6-4 winner over Spain's Pedro Martinez and Swiss Stan Wawrinka beat 26th seed Czech Miomir Kecmanovic 7-6(8) 6-4.