Sabalenka, last year's Indian Wells runner-up, took 95 minutes to move past 2021 US Open champion Raducanu in their first meeting.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sabalenka broke for 3-2 in the opener in the pair\u2019s first meeting and seemed like she would cruise. But after Raducanu saved two set points at 2-5, Sabalenka was forced to overcome a 0-40 deficit at 5-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Raducanu showed grit, however, in overturning a break deficit in the second set. Sabalenka buckled but didn\u2019t break, then once again re-established her lead courtesy of a deft drop shot for 6-5.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a mammoth last game, Sabalenka saved three break points with a forehand winner, ace and backhand that drew an error and converted on her fourth match point with a forehand winner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Sabalenka will now face the winner of the match between No.16 seed Elina Svitolina and No.23 seed Emma Navarro.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In other match, the US Open winner Coco Gauff saved break points, took control, then edged a second-set tiebreak to beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 7-6 (5).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gauff will meet No.24 seed Elise Mertens for a berth in the quarterfinals. That match will be played on Wednesday, Gauff\u2019s 20th birthday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Mertens, however, advanced to the Indian Wells Round of 16 for the first time by defeating former No.1 Naomi Osaka 7-5, 6-4 in a tussle not as straightforward as the score suggested.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/03\/sabalenka-holds-raducanu-gauff-fends-off-bronzetti-to-soar-into-round-of-16-in-indian-wells.jpg", "alt_img": "Sabalenka holds Raducanu; Gauff fends off Bronzetti to soar into Round of 16 in Indian Wells", "alt_title": "Sabalenka holds Raducanu; Gauff fends off Bronzetti to soar into Round of 16 in Indian Wells", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Sabalenka Holds Raducanu; Gauff Fends Off Bronzetti To Soar Into Round Of 16 In Indian Wells On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Sabalenka Holds Raducanu; Gauff Fends Off Bronzetti To Soar Into Round Of 16 In Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open Round: No.2 seed Aryna Sabalenka clinched her spot in the BNP Paribas Open Round of 16 with.", "seo_keywords": "Indian Wells, Aryna Sabalenka, BNP Paribas Open Round, Emma Raducanu, US Open, Elina Svitolina, Emma Navarro, Coco Gauff, Lucia Bronzetti, Elise Mertens, Indian Wells Round, Naomi Osaka", "tag": "", "tagging": "Indian Wells, Aryna Sabalenka, BNP Paribas Open Round, Emma Raducanu, US Open, Elina Svitolina, Emma Navarro, Coco Gauff, Lucia Bronzetti, Elise Mertens, Indian Wells Round, Naomi Osaka", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "sabalenka-holds-raducanu-gauff-fends-off-bronzetti-to-soar-into-round-of-16-in-indian-wells", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "874", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2024-03-12 11:38:03", "updated": "2024-03-12 11:38:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Indian Wells, Aryna Sabalenka, BNP Paribas Open Round, Emma Raducanu, US Open, Elina Svitolina, Emma Navarro, Coco Gauff, Lucia Bronzetti, Elise Mertens, Indian Wells Round, Naomi Osaka", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-03-12 11:38:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "tennis", "cnmid": "877780", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/sabalenka-holds-raducanu-gauff-fends-off-bronzetti-to-soar-into-round-of-16-in-indian-wells-13931" }