Tennis-Big-serving Fritz powers his way into Indian Wells third round

Former champion Cameron Norrie, French teenager Arthur Fils and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov all progressed in straight sets to reach the third round.

American Taylor Fritz put on a serving clinic to beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(2) 6-2 and advance to the third round at Indian Wells on Saturday.

The 2022 champion never faced a break point and crushed down his 14th ace on match point to beat the Chilean under sunny desert skies before a crowd supporting the San Diego native. "It's unreal," Fritz said on centre court after the win.

"I was coming to this tournament as a kid for a long time and this is my favourite stop of the whole year, just to hear the crowd and the support when I walk out is incredible." Tabilo served well in the opener and the tight first set was ultimately settled in a tiebreak where Fritz made the most of his opportunities.

"I got some looks at second serves in the tiebreaker," Fritz said. "Then in the second set I started finding my rhythm, returning serve a little bit better." Canadian Milos Raonic withdrew ahead of his second round clash with seventh seed Holger Rune due to a calf strain.

The former world number three was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open and Rotterdam with injuries in what has been a tough start to the year for the 33-year-old. Former champion Cameron Norrie, French teenager Arthur Fils and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov all progressed in straight sets to reach the third round.