@ticktocktennis
Tennis info, interviews, and opinion with James. Live for the upset. Champion the underdog. Telling player stories one result at a time. 🎾 If you're new and want to find great tennis resources, check STARTER PACKS. https://linktr.ee/TickTockTennis
Daaaaaaaaamn, Mirra!
The defending champion sends quite a message to the rest of the field at Indian Wells.
Mirra Andreeva, who stormed into the top 10 after winning here last year, obliterates Solana Sierra, 6-0, 6-0, in 49 minutes, winning 81% of 1st serve return points.
Booked and Busy
Looks like Joao Fonseca might not be heading to Phoenix to defend that Challenger title next week.
But, I don't think he'll be too upset.
The Brazilian scores the biggest win since he returned from injury, rallying past 16th seed Karen Khachanov, 4-6, 7-6⁷, 6-4.
Krueger's Kick in the A**
Sometimes it takes a bad loss to turn things around.
For Ashlyn Krueger, it came 3 weeks ago, in the 1st round of the WTA 125 in Midland, when she lost to #270 Katherine Sebov.
Since then, the American is 5-1 and defeats #19 Liudmila Samsonova, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
Sonay Seizes the Moment
Ever since she burst onto the scene with a title run at the WTA 250 in Monastir as a qualifier in 2024, Sonay Kartal has been firmly lodged in the top 100.
The Brit exacts some revenge for her recent Fed Cup loss to Emma Navarro, winning 6-1, 3-6, 7-6⁵.
V for Validation
Time will tell if Valentin Vacherot stays inside the top 30 after those Shanghai Masters points come off.
But, with each passing week, we get more and more evidence that the Monagasque is a real deal top 50 player.
At least.
Vacherot defeats Nuno Borges, 7-5, 7-5.
Swiatek Survives
Had Kayla Day succeeded in serving out that 2nd set at 5-2 (or won at 5-1, 5-3, or 5-4), I was going to post that "It's getting weird" NeNe Leakes meme.
Because... it kinda is with Iga lately.
But, true to her champion's instincts, she pulls through, 6-0, 7-6².
Ostapenko Power
Fresh off her obligatory semifinal-or-better run at at least one Middle East event (Dubai this year), Jelena Ostapenko arrives at I Diana Wells looking to establish some momentum.
The former Roland-Garros champ defeats Katie Volynets, 6-4, 7-6⁵.
Fran Fights Through
He's won more claycourt matches than anybody else on the ATP Tour the last few years.
But, with that cannon of a forehand, Francisco Cerúndolo can grind out wins on every single surface... as he does today against Benjamin Bonzi, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6⁵.
Rybakinacoaster!
Down 5-6, 0-40 in the 1st set, Elena Rybakina finds a way to win the opening set against a tenacious Hailey Baptiste.
But that was just the beginning of an up-and-down, back-and-forth tussle that ends with the reigning Aussie Open champ winning, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2.
Jack's Back!
You should never underestimate Roberto Bautista Agut.
And Jack Draper almost learned that the hard way.
But, the defending champion finds his footing after a scratchy opening set, holding on for the 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win.
Ruud Regroups
After losing 3 of his last 4 matches, Casper Ruud turns in a commanding performance to kick things off at Indian Wells.
The 2-time Roland-Garros runner-up rolls past Alexander Shevchenko, 6-1, 7-6⁴, to clear his opening hurdle in the desert.
Aleks on Fire
It's been a steady climb over the course of 4-5 years, but Aleksandar Kovacevic has transformed himself into a real deal, week-in, week-out winner on the ATP Tour.
The former U of Illinois star powers past 31st seed Corentin Moutet, 6-1, 6-4, to reach round 3.
7 Up!
Karolina Muchova racks up her 7th victory in a row, taking down Anna Bondar, 7-5, 6-2, to kick off her Indian Wells campaign.
The Czech, who snapped a nearly 7-year title drought in Doha, currently sits at #6 on the WTA Race and next faces Zheng Qinwen or Antonia Ruzic.
All-Ukrainian Final
After an early loss at the Antalya 125 last week, Oleksandra Oliynykova gets back to her winning ways at that level, defeating Moyuka Uchijima, 6-4, 6-4.
In the final, the top seed will face compatriot Anhelina Kalinina, who defeats Katarzyna Kawa, 7-5, 6-2.
Italy's hoping to get an ATP 250 grasscourt event in Milan starting in 2028, with hopes of becoming a 500.
Now... will we ever get a grass Masters?
www.universtennis.com/2026/03/07/m...
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Gamblers make a wave of frightening threats to players this week. (And every week.)
Learner Tien earns another "not since Roddick" record.
And both defending champs are on the OOP for tomorrow at Indian Wells!
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So... what's going on in this Maya Joint vs. Jaqueline Cristian match?
Joint called the trainer while Cristian is serving for the match... at deuce?
Coco Comeback!
Down 2-5 in the 2nd set, Coco Gauff turns up the pressure on Russian-turned-Uzbek qualifier Kamilla Rakhimova.
The 2-time singles slam champ rallies to close it out in straight sets, winning 6-3, 7-6⁵, to reach the 3rd round at Indian Wells.
Sabalenka Resurfaces
Playing her first match since the Australian Open final, Aryna Sabalenka shakes off a bit of rust through the opening set, then took off to the finish line.
The world #1 takes out Japanese qualifier Himeno Sakatsume, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the 2nd round.
Flavio is Flourishing
A few weeks ago, Flavio Cobolli would have lost this one.
But, after a dismal start to the season, the Italian is on a 6-match winning streak, slingshotting past Miomir Kecmanovic, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, to move into the 3rd round at Indian Wells.
Mboko Keeps Going
With a WTA 1000 title on her mantle (plus a runner-up trophy from Doha a few weeks ago), you can find Victoria Mboko at #9 on the most recent live rankings.
Looking to go even higher with a big run at Indian Wells, Mboko wins 6-4, 7-6⁵ over Kimberly Birrell.
Standing Talia
After scoring the biggest win of her career in the 1st round (taking down #41 Ann Li), Talia Gibson goes even bigger in round 2!
The Australian qualifier surprises world #11 Ekaterina Alexandrova, 6-3, 7-5, to face #17 Clara Tauson.
Can she get another upset?🤔
Erp! "Big" tournament.
Emma on Her Own
Saying she's had her aggressive baseline game "coached out" of her, Emma Raducanu arrives at Indian Wells on her own terms.
And... so far, so good!
The former US Open champion defeats Russian qualifier Anastasia Zakharova, 6-1, 6-3, to reach the 3rd round.
Linda Levels Up?
It's been a minute since Linda Noskova had a breakout run at a bi tournament.
In fact, the Czech has yet to make a quarterfinal so far in 2026.
Looking to review up her season at Indian Wells, Noskova sweeps past Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, 6-3, 6-3.
DM me know if you didn't receive yesterday's edition. Had a weird glitch as it got sent out and think it may have impacted delivery for some people. 🙏
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Venus goes the distance, but comes up short in Indian Wells.
Taylor Townsed keeps the singles wins coming.
And, Day 3 steps things up a notch as the seeds get involved in round 2.
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Lilli Tagger walks around the court like she's been there for years. The aura is ridiculous.
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Aryna Sabalenka gets engaged!
Zeynep Sonmez gets a big win!
And a big slate of must-see matches tomorrow at Indian Wells.
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