Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (6) 7-6 (4) thriller over Joao Fonseca at the BNP Paribas Open.

The Italian looked set to seal the match from 5-2 in the second set, but Fonseca mounted a late comeback to force a tie-break.

Sinner regained control in the second-set tie-break, clinching the victory to book a quarter-final appearance against American Learner Tien in the next stage of the tournament at Indian Wells.

“I am very happy winning this match,” Sinner said.

“Joao is an incredible talent. He was serving really well. I was trying to be as aggressive as possible and that was the key to get through against the incredible talent.”

On the challenge he faces against Tien, the World No 2 said: “I feel he is a very consistent player and I am very happy to face him again. He has improved a lot since the last time we met.”

PA