Mirra Andreeva’s title defense at Indian Wells ended in frustration during the third round on Monday. Katerina Siniakova defeated the Russian 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in a match filled with tension.
The 18-year-old Andreeva started her campaign with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Solana Sierra. Against Siniakova, ranked 44th, she struggled through a back-and-forth battle. The deciding point came when Siniakova’s shot clipped the net and dropped over, prompting Andreeva to throw her racket and make a gesture toward the crowd as she left the court.
Andreeva later said she regretted her reaction. “I let out anger and emotions,” she explained. “It was not aimed at anyone specific.” Siniakova, once the top doubles player, called the finish tricky but welcomed the outcome. The match saw seven breaks of serve each and 43 break opportunities total. Wind on the stadium court added to the challenges for both.
Andreeva showed irritation earlier, missing a volley to lose the second set. She argued with the umpire about her opponent during that set. She broke for a 3-2 lead in the third, but Siniakova took the next four games, saving two break points before closing on her first match point.
Siniakova advances to face Elina Svitolina in the round of 16. The ninth-seeded Ukrainian defeated Ashlyn Krueger 6-4, 6-2. Top-ranked Iga Swiatek had no issues against Maria Sakkari, winning 6-3, 6-2. Swiatek, who claimed titles here in 2022 and 2024, had lost to Sakkari last month in Doha. She adjusted her approach this time.
“I focused on key areas from the start,” Swiatek said. She meets Karolina Muchova next, after Muchova beat Antonia Ruzic 6-2, 6-1. Elena Rybakina, the 2023 champion, moved forward with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Marta Kostyuk. The third seed overcame a 3-1 deficit in the second set under cool evening conditions. She plays Sonay Kartal, who rallied past Madison Keys 2-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Jessica Pegula, seeded fifth, recovered to beat Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Pegula, fresh from a Dubai title, served 11 aces. “I pushed back and stayed positive,” she said. She faces Belinda Bencic, who defeated Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-4.
In the men’s draw, Carlos Alcaraz fought past Arthur Rinderknech 6-7 (6), 6-3, 6-2. The top seed sets up a round of 16 match with Casper Ruud, who beat Valentin Vacherot 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Novak Djokovic needed three sets to defeat Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. He plays Jack Draper next, after Draper handled Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 7-5.
Surprises included Cameron Norrie beating sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4. Alex Michelsen upset seventh-seeded Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-6 (6). Qualifier Rinky Hijikata ousted 10th-seeded Alexander Bublik 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3), 6-3.
Daniil Medvedev cruised past Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-0. He meets Michelsen in the next round. The tournament progresses to the round of 16 today, with key matchups across both draws.
