Matteo Berrettini entered the BNP Baribas Open as the No. 6 seed, but it wasn’t due to past success in the event at Indian Wells, Calif.
The 25-year-old Italian finally got past tournament’s third round in his fourth try, beating South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 6-4, 7-5 on Tuesday.
“It means a lot, I like it here very much,” Berrettini said postmatch. “I like the conditions but for some reason I was never able to play my best tennis.
“I’m happy with my performance. Lloyd is a tough player, serving really well today, so it feels nice, first time in fourth round. Every year I’m improving, so hopefully this one is going to be the longest one.”
Next up for Berrettini is a matchup with Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, who got past the Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp 7-6 (3), 7-5.
Seventh-seeded Andrey Rublev of Russia also moved on in straight sets, beating 28th-seeded Frances Tiafoe of the United States 6-3, 6-4.
Two of the five U.S. players in action Tuesday advanced.
John Isner, the 23rd seed, finished with a 13-2 edge in aces while beating 14th-seeded Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 7-5, 6-3.
Taylor Fritz, the 20th seed, edged Spain’s Jaume Munar 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (2). Fritz, a Southern California native, reached the semifinals when the Indian Wells event was held last fall.
Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, the 11th seed, knocked out the United States’ Steve Johnson 7-6 (7), 6-3, and 29th-seeded Alex De Minaur of Australia topped American Tommy Paul 7-6 (2), 6-4.
Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov eliminated 31st-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-4.
–Field Level Media