Watanuki, the lowest-ranked player in the Indian Wells Round of 16 in... 21 years!
Yosuke Watanuki caused a surprise overnight from Sunday to Monday by defeating Frances Tiafoe (6-4, 7-6) in the third round of the Indian Wells Masters 1000.
Ranked 349th in the world at the start of the tournament and absent from the tour for seven months due to injury, the Japanese player first made it through the qualifiers before defeating Alexander Bublik in the first round and then benefiting from Tomas Machac's withdrawal in the next round.
Driven by an aggressive and confident style of play, Watanuki has become the lowest-ranked player to reach the Round of 16 at the tournament since Tommy Haas in 2004, who was ranked 882nd in the world at the time.
And the dream could continue tomorrow as he competes for a spot in the quarterfinals against Tallon Griekspoor.
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