The former world No. 1 has not won back-to-back matches on clay since 2019, but put on a valiant effort before exiting the Mutua Madrid Open in three sets.

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The 2018 champion weathered a challenge from No. 14 seed Liudmila Samsonova to reach the third round of the BNP Paribas Open; Gauff looms as a possibly fourth round opponent.

Osaka is starting to find her footing, and she has an opportunity to make a statement in her second-round match.

One of the most popular events on the sport’s social calendar, Taste of Tennis returned to Indian Wells this week, with players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Paula Badosa, Holger Rune and more in attendance.

The former Wimbledon champion got her first win over Samsonova in five attempts, and will meet Daria Kasatkina in the hopes of winning her second title of 2024.

All of their four prior meetings came on outdoor hard courts, the surface of Saturday’s showdown in Abu Dhabi.

Haddad Maia advances alongside top seed Elena Rybakina, who booked a final-four clash with nemesis Liudmila Samsonova earlier on Friday.

Jannik Sinner will kick off a historic Sunday start while Djokovic will begin his quest for an 11th title Down Under.

Elsewhere, world No. 2 Sabalenka rolled in her 2024 opener and Safiullin saved five match points to deny Popyrin a victory at home Wednesday.