Jasmine Paolini overcame Jaqueline Cristian 6-4 3-6 6-4 in a hard-fought match in the third round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Paolini set up a Round of 16 match against Liudmila Samsonova, who came back from one set down to beat Daria Kasatkina 2-6 6-3 6-2.
Paolini went up a double break to race out to a 3-0 lead at the start of the first set. Cristian pulled one break back in the fourth game for 1-3. Paolini broke for the third time to take a 4-1 lead. Cristian converted her fourth break back in the sixth game to reduce the deficit for 2-4. Paolini held on her next service games to close out the first set 6-4.
Cristian broke serve in the second game to open up a 3-0 lead in the second set. Paolini earned two break-back points in the ninth game, but Cristian held her serve on her second set point to win the second set 6-3 sending the match to the third set.
Cristian broke serve in the first game of the third set. Paolini broke straight back in the second game, but Cristian broke for the second time to take a 2-1 lead. Paolini broke back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. The Italian player saved two break back points in a long ninth game featuring nine deuces before sealing the win with a break on his first match point in the 10th game.
Paolini saved eight of the 13 break points she faced.
