DEMON RACES THROUGH IN INDIAN WELLS AS FOURTH ROUND BECKONS

Alex de Minaur sprinted into the Indian Wells fourth round with a 6-4 6-0 victory over Hubert Hurkacz, facing just one break point in another clinical performance.

Demon - who became just the second man since 2021 to win a set 6-0 over Hurkacz - knew he needed to be relentless against the big-serving 28-year-old.

"Momentum changes can affect a match so quickly," de Minaur said after his one-hour, fourteen-minute triumph.

"Obviously, my first job is to try and get a break. Then you try and get that insurance break second and then of course, once you are up, you’re feeling quite well, and that all came together for me today."

The 26-year-old - whose improved serve has noticeably made his service games more comfortable than we've seen previously - was firing down aces at 215km per hour, but still believes there are enhancements to be made.

"It still comes and goes. It's not where I would like it to be. I still want to be able to have better serving numbers. I think it fluctuates too much from match to match," de Minaur revealed.

"But today, I did get some crucial first serves when I needed them which is always great."

The Aussie will meet Francisco Cerúndolo in the fourth round; the same opponent he played at this year's Australian Open where de Minaur prevailed in four tight sets.

While it's always dangerous to look further ahead, the fourth-round contest presents an opportunity to reach a maiden Indian Wells quarterfinal and potentially set a showdown clash with two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

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Earlier in round three action, Alexei Popyrin bowed out of the draw with a tough 7-5 3-6 3-6 defeat to American Marcos Giron.

It continues a difficult start to the season for Popyrin, who has now lost seven of his last nine matches since beating Daniil Medvedev at the Masters 1000 in Paris last year.

Albeit the only Australian, de Minaur was one of 32 players to reach the fourth round in the desert; some of which created exciting storylines, as we head into the second week.

WHO MADE THIRD-ROUND HEADLINES?

On the women's side, it has to be Mirra Andreeva. If you're not already familiar with this Russian 17-year-old, you're about to be.

The fearless teenager has as much confidence as anyone on tour, knows her capabilities, and is soaring towards her goal of world No.1.

Having just won her first WTA 1000 event in Dubai, we could have expected a poor follow-up tournament on the other side of the world, in the Californian desert.

But Andreeva has looked and admittedly felt as good as ever, dominating the in-form Clara Tauson 6-3 6-0 to reach the last 16 and set up a clash with Elena Rybakina.

From an ATP perspective, Yosuke Watanuki was the story of round three, coming through qualifying as the world No.349 to reach a Masters 1000 fourth round for the first time.

Having used a protected ranking to enter the event, the Japanese 26-year-old has now won five matches, including a brilliant straight-sets victory over Frances Tiafoe, to break new ground in 'tennis paradise'.

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