Emma Raducanu into Indian Wells third round with win over Poland’s 20th seed Magda Linette, Jack Draper beats Dan Evans

Emma Raducanu moved into the third round at Indian Wells with a very impressive 7-6(3) 6-2 victory over Magda Linette.

The 20-year-old has played just a handful of matches so far this season, while 20th seed Pole Linette might have considered herself the favourite in their match-up.

The first set was an even affair with both players breaking twice as they raced to 6-6, but the former US Open winner secured the tie-break 7-3 when it really mattered.

In the second set, Raducanu initially dominated her opponent and moved 4-1 clear as she broke Linette to assert her superiority, despite her service game being less effective against her rival than in her previous run-out.

Raducanu will be pleased with a fine victory over an experienced opponent after her recent struggles since her emergence on the professional circuit as the most promising British youngster around.

It is a fillip for Raducanu, who had been unsure of her involvement in the tournament as a result of her fitness worries, which had blighted much of her involvement in the 2022 campaign.

Raducanu is likely to play her next match on Monday after the rest of the current matches are played.

At the same time in the men’s draw, Jack Draper defeated Dan Evans.

The 24th seed fell behind after Draper made the better fist of his break points, taking four from 10 as Evans managed just one successful conversion.

Evans pressed home his superiority to win 6-4 6-2 on Saturday ahead of the coming week’s action.

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