Indian Wells: Jannik Sinner battles into quarter-finals as Victoria Mboko sets up match with Aryna Sabalenka

Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells with a thrilling win over Joao Fonesca at the BNP Paribas Open.

Sinner was pushed hard by the 19-year-old Brazilian, trailing 6-3 in the first set before rallying to close out the match 7-6(6) 7-6(4).

The Italian looked set to seal the match from 5-2 in the second set, but Fonseca mounted a late comeback to force a tie-break.

Sinner regained control in the second-set tie-break, clinching the victory to book a quarter-final appearance against American Learner Tien in the next stage of the tournament.

"I am very ​happy winning this match," Sinner said.

"Joao is an incredible talent. He was serving really well. I was trying to be as aggressive as possible and that was the key to get through against the incredible talent."

On his quarter-final against home favourite Tien, Sinner added: "I feel he is ‌a very consistent player and I am very happy to face him again. He has improved a lot since the last time we met."

Women's world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka eased past 16th seed Naomi Osaka 6-2 6-4 to progress to the ‌women's last eight.

Osaka began confidently with a strong opening service game, but top seed Sabalenka soon found her rhythm and capitalised on a brief dip from the Japanese, breaking for ‌2-1 after two double faults.

The Belarusian tightened her grip with a barrage of powerful backhands to lead 5-2, then served out the set comfortably with an ace.

After a series of solid holds from both players early in the second, Sabalenka again used her firepower to take control, breaking again ‌for a 4-2 lead that proved decisive in closing out the win and continuing her run in the tournament without dropping a set.

"I'm pretty happy ⁠for the result today, much better than last time," Sabalenka said. "I'm happy that I put so much pressure on her today, that I brought variety to the court. My serve worked well. On the return I played really great tennis. Happy with my performance for sure."

Last year's runner-up Sabalenka will continue her quest for a first Indian Wells title against Canada's Victoria ⁠Mboko, who sailed past higher-ranked American Amanda Anisimova 6-4 6-1.

It will be a rematch of an Australian Open ​round-of-16 between the two, which Sabalenka won in straight sets.

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