Argentinian tennis player Sebastián Báez was one of the biggest surprises of the day, defeating Czech Jiri Lehecka (22nd in the world rankings) in straight sets. According to the Argentinian News Agency (NA), the world No. 53 won 6-4, 6-1 in just 1 hour and 11 minutes. This important victory helps Báez maintain the high level he has shown on hard courts this season. With this win, the Argentine advanced to the third round of the first Masters 1000 of the season in Indian Wells, where he will next face Russian Daniil Medvedev (11th in the world). In other matches, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner needed 1 hour and 13 minutes to defeat Canadian Denis Shapovalov (39th) 6-3, 6-2, while German Alexander Zverev (4th) eliminated American Brandon Nakashima (30th seed) in three sets with a 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-4 score. Sebastián Báez continues to prove that his achievements from the beginning of the year—three wins at the United Cup and a final at the ATP 250 in Auckland—were no fluke, establishing himself as a solid player on hard courts. After previously struggling on this surface, the player born in San Martín has a 10-2 record on hard courts in 2025, all in ATP-level matches, making a strong impression to start a promising 2026. Facing the second seed in the second round of the first American Masters of the season, Báez started the match with a break, though he lost his serve three games later. The 25-year-old broke again in the ninth game and sealed the set on his next service game without conceding a point. Full of confidence, the Argentine lost only one game in the second set, which lasted just half an hour, and secured three consecutive breaks, ending the match on his opponent's serve and already turning his thoughts to Medvedev. A rival with plenty of weapons to hurt, a former world No. 1 and winner of two tournaments this year (250 in Brisbane and 500 in Dubai), albeit with some mental instability that a Báez as firm as he is now could exploit.
