INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Defending champion Taylor Fritz has 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.
An energized Shelton came out firing, crushing an emphatic overhead to break Fritz’s mighty serve en route to grabbing the first set and putting the tournament on upset watch.
The fourth-seeded Fritz held his nerve and converted the first break opportunity he saw on set point when Shelton dumped a forehand into the net to level the match at a set apiece.
In the final game of the match Fritz showed that he is more than a big server, hitting a brilliant lob and deft drop shot to set up match point, which he converted when Shelton’s attempt to block back a ferocious forehand sailed long.
Taylor Fritz returns a shot to Ben Shelton at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, March 11, 2023, in Indian Wells, California. (PHOTO / AP)