(Tennis news) Emma Raducanu defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-1 2-6 6-4 to progress into the fourth round of Indian Wells on Monday. The 20 year old British tennis player started the game on a positive note, breaking twice and wrapping up the first set in just 34 minutes. However, she then dropped her serve twice, committed four double faults, thereby allowing her Brazilian opponent to fight back and secure the second set 6-2. Raducanu saved a break point to hold for 2-2 in the decider before getting a break in the seventh game. The 2021 US Open winner will now take on either world No 1 and defending champion, Iga Swiatek, or Bianca Andreescu in the last 16.

Raducanu has faced Swiatek before, losing 6-4 6-4 in Stuttgart last April on clay. They also faced each other in the quarter-finals of the 2018 Wimbledon juniors tournament with Swiatek winning that match as well. The 20 year old has also faced Bianca Andreescu in Rome on clay but was forced to retire midway during the second set. Raducanu is competing in her first tournament since her second round elimination at the Australian Open and given her injury problems as well as her recent case of tonsillitis, she has done well at the tournament so far. She beat Danka Kovinic 6-2 6-3 in the first round and Polish 20th seed Magda Linette 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 in the second.

Speaking after her victory, Raducanu said “I am extremely happy with the way I fought and dug in in the third set. I dropped my intensity a bit in second and, against such a great opponent like Beatriz, that’s enough and it’s a 6-2 set before you know it. So, I was very happy with how I managed to regain my focus and intensity and come back in the third. For me it’s pretty amazing, I haven’t really prepared for this tournament or practised, so to come out and play at this level and be competitive is a great sign for me.”

Also read: Emma Raducanu progresses into Indian Wells third round with win over Linette