There was more drama around the grounds…

Siniakova overcomes Fernandez in marathon 

The longest women’s singles match in Indian Wells history came in 2021, when Martina Trevisan beat Marie Bouzkova in three hours, 52 minutes. 

Katerina Siniakova and Leylah Fernandez weren’t far off that mark at Stadium 4. 

Siniakova edged the 2021 US Open finalist in three hours, 28 minutes, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(1). 

The duo combined to save 29 of 37 break points, none maybe more important than the four that Siniakova wiped away at 3-4 in the decider.

Siniakova — a singles title winner and multiple Slam champ in doubles — hung on at 5-6 before surging in the tiebreak. 

Before their outing, Britain’s Sonay Kartal also won a third-set tiebreak against No. 20 seed Emma Navarro, 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(2). 

Kartal — who made the fourth round last year as a lucky loser — saved a match point at 5-6 in the third as Navarro put a cross-court forehand into the net to end a lengthy rally. The 2024 US Open semifinalist from South Carolina slipped to 4-8 this season.

After Siniakova and Fernandez wrapped up, Alexander Bublik went the distance against Vit Kopriva. 

The No. 10 seed lost the first set, then recovered (3-6, 7-6(3), 6-2). No, Bublik didn’t need to save any match points versus the lucky loser who made the Rio semifinals.