Defending champion Paula Badosa overcame a tight first set to defeat Sara Sorribes Tormo in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells, reaching the quarterfinals in her bid to retain the title.
Badosa survived a first set comeback from Sorribes Tormo to prevail 7-6(4) 6-1, as the Spaniard attempted to keep it close but was eventually overwhelmed by her compatriot's superior play.
Both ladies looked shaky on serve in the first set, with each relying on placement rather than power. After exchanging breaks, it came down to a tiebreak that saw the defending champion call on her big-match experience to close out the first set.
With Sorribes Tormo deflated after losing a tight first set, it was all Badosa in the second. The fifth seed dominated her opponent from the baseline, drawing errant shots as Sorribes Tormo grew increasingly frustrated. Badosa sealed her victory after two hours, setting up a fourth round showdown with either US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez or the in-form American Shelby Rogers.
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