RafaNole, Part XXV

The most competitive rivalry in men's tennis. Overshadowed by Fedal (for good reasons), Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic is the most competitive rivalry in men's tennis. They've played the other more times than any two active players, and I suspect if both remain healthy throughout the year, they'll face each other in many more finals. While they've so far only contested one Slam final at last year's US Open, which Rafa won in four sets to complete the Career Slam, many of their encounters have been brutal battles, despite some of the straight-set scorelines, the ultimate winner in question till the bitter end. Who can forget that spectacular 2009 Madrid semifinal that Rafa won 7-6(9) in the third? Djoke held 4 match points, if memory serves, and Rafa denied them all. That was easily the best best-of-three match that year. Shortly thereafter, Rafa left the tour to heal his knees and Djoke's tennis teetered between brilliant and woeful, losing early in Paris as well as his next two finals.



A fortnight ago, against Rafa in the Indian Wells final, Djoke rallied from a set down to earn his second Masters shield in the desert and keep his 2011 record unblemished. Today, the rematch is on. Djoke knows how to win here; he took the title in 2007. If Rafa has turned his first serve around, as he did when facing 0-40 early in the final set of his quarterfinal against Tomas Berdych, I suspect he'll put a stop to the Serbian steamroller. The World No. 2's form has dipped over his last few matches while Rafa's has risen. The World No. 1 has never won in Miami so I believe he'll be extra motivated to finally get to the winner's circle, even if it takes three sets.

::

Watch the Sony Ericsson Open men's final live on CBS at 1:oo EDT

Car Wreck

Getty

::

Thank goodness for Marion Bartoli. She actually gave us a big event final to watch in the Californian desert two weeks ago tomorrow against the reigning World No. 1. I found myself wishing the Indian Wells runner up was on the court across the net from Victoria Azarenka in today's championship match in Miami. Instead, I chose to put up with Maria Sharapova spraying balls like a garden hose in a drought. I didn't have to, mind you. But the match had the lure of a car wreck. I simply couldn't look away.

The WTA has to (well, maybe it doesn't have to, but the hero campaign is banal and outdated) update its marketing campaigns for the remainder of 2011 against the backdrop of this fact: The runner up at the calendar's "fifth Slam" held her serve exactly once in a 6-1, 6-4 drubbing at the hands of a player who's never even contested a Slam semifinal, neither of whom participated in what might have been the most dramatic women's match of the tournament, which wasn't televised anywhere on the planet.

I'm going to say that again: The runner up at the calendar's "fifth Slam" held her serve exactly once in a 6-1, 6-4 drubbing at the hands of a player who's never even contested a Slam semifinal, neither of whom participated in what might have been the most dramatic women's match of the tournament, which wasn't televised anywhere on the planet.

That's all.

Quote For The Day

"We lived through a decade of Carlos Rodriguez coaching Justine Henin after every single point and nobody called it on them."

--Lindsay Davenport, Tennis Channel commentary during the Maria Sharapova, Samantha Stosur match on Monday, March 28, 2011.

Apparently, Sharapova was called out for on-court coaching from the stands during a previous match in Miami. Davenport seemed to be underscoring a double standard. Or maybe she was simply stating her perception of a widely known "fact."

I put fact in quotations for I remember Carlos and Maria being called out once. But only once. Back in 2004 during Justine's quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova in Indian Wells. I remember being surprised by the call out, but not by the coaching, which only the blind couldn't see. Those in denial wouldn't admit. Carlos was telling his charge to charge the net more in order to turn around the second set. Sveta was leading 5-4 or 5-3, according to my memory. Justine took her coaching advice and won the last 3 or 4 games to take the match in straights.

Hickman In Miami

I'll be covering the Sony Ericsson Open this week for Tennis Panorama News starting, well, today.


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News

Started the day at breakfast with Jarkko Nieminen and Andrea Petkovic, had a short hit with David Ferrer at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, then toughed through the spring-break traffic to Miami Beach for the Xperia Hot Shots unveiling over at the Doubletree Surfcomber Hotel on Collins Ave.

Well, okay. I saw Nieminen and Petkovic at breakfast, watched Ferrer's practice session with Fernando Verdasco before the event on Miami Beach. A bit overexcited attending my first Sony Ericsson Open, just seeing the players up close and personal made me feel as though we were all companions.


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News

Maria Sharapova's celebrity appearance gave the event some sparkle after DJ Jazzy Jeff's set and before Dominika Cibulkova, Sorana Cirstea, Alizé Cornet, Sabine Lisicki, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Heather Watson,were introduced as the WTA's future superstars. The event felt like a big old party. Free flowing liquor at the open bar. Jazzy Jeff's louder than loud music. Party goers from all walks of life decked out in various stages of undress, the beach only steps away. Paparazzi everywhere.


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News


JD Blom for Tennis Panorama News

The turquoise ocean beneath a clear sky beckoned, but I stayed put. Well, not exactly.

Read the rest...

Desert Champions

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the trophy following his victory over Rafael Nadal of Spain 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, on March 20, 2011. Djokovic is now 20-0 in 2011.


Getty

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark poses with her trophy after defeating Marion Bartoli of France 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, on March 20, 2011. Wozniacki remains the computer's top-ranked player.

Indian Wells 2011 Finals Preview

It's the computer's World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki against the unconventional No. 15 seed Marion Bartoli in the women's final. The Frenchwoman has kicked the Dane in her teeth before. And vice versa. You would expect the steady pusher to simply outlast the flat hitter who doesn't get around the court so well in straight sets with the loss of just a few games. But never underestimate a flat hitter on a hardcourt who takes the ball earlier than anyone on the tour. If Bartoli plays as well as she did to dismantle Yanina Wickmayer in the semifinals, she can win the title. Will she?

On the men's side, it's Nadjoke XXIV. The World No. 1 vs. the Undefeated One. The way Rafael Nadal turned around his semifinal against Juan Martin del Potro was nothing short of stunning. The way Novak Djokovic defended the court against Roger Federer was nothing short of riveting. Rafa has the head-to-head advantage, Djoke has the most confidence right now. The slow sometimes windy conditions work for both. Rafa's got the vicious topspin, Djoke's got the compact strokes. Will the World No. 1 show who's boss, or will the new World No. 2 remain without loss?

I may not get to watch either match live for I'm in Miami. More about that later.

Enjoy the finals.

Indian Wells 2011 Semifinals Preview

by Craig Hickman

Well, here we are. The ATP is calling it Super Saturday. I'm calling it the BNP Paribas Open semifinals.


Reuters

The most intriguing match is the first semi between reigning World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and comeback giant Juan Martín del Potro, two great players both on the mend from recent injuries. The Argentinean has a tournament win under his belt this year and with that jolt of confidence is playing freer with every match. He bettered Philipp Kohlschrieber in two intense tiebreak sets in the quarters. That kind of clutch tennis will be required if he is to win his first Masters Shield in the desert. (Trivia: can you name any active players who've won Slams before Masters?)

Rafa, on the other hand, who saw his chance at history slip away in the quarterfinals of Melbourne when he fell to compatriot David Ferrer is struggling with confidence. His first serve has deserted him in two high-pressure games this week, the final set breaker against Ivo Karlovic where he needed 4 match points to finally prevail, and serving to stay in the first set with doubles partner Marc Lopez against reigning Olympic Gold Medalists Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka. In the latter, he doubled faulted twice in the game to drop the set.

While the World No. 1 holds a slim 4-3 edge in their head-to-head, the slender giant with the missile forehand has won their last three meetings, all on hardcourts, all in North America. Will Rafa get revenge or will history repeat?

Reuters

Reuters

In the second semifinal, Novak Djokovic, who hasn't lost a match in 2011, faces the World No. 2, who's only won one title in 2011. Head-to-head is 13-8, advantage Raja, though they've split their last 8 meetings, with Djoke winning the last two, both this year. Until struggling to find his rhythm against the looping forehands of Richard Gasquet, Djoke had barely lost any games to advance to the quarters.

Raja's been relatively efficient in his draw as well, but was tested by young American Ryan Harrison in the first set of the 16's to set up a date with his whipping boy doubles partner in the quarters. Simply put, whoever prevails, this match is squarely on Djoke's racquet.

Oh, yeah. And the No. 2 ranking is on the line.

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Indian Wells 2011 Quarterfinals Open Thread

Haven't watched tennis in a few days but I suspect you have. Fill us in.

The quarterfinals are set, and unless MadProfessah gives us one of his great predictions posts, I'll have to wing it.

Nadal over Karlovic
Del Potro over Robredo
Djokovic over Gasquet
Federer over Wawrinka

What say you?

Indian Wells 2011 Day 7 Open Thread

Arrived in Milwaukee safely, but couldn't get to a cafe for WiFi to watch any tennis. What did I miss?

ORDER OF PLAY - TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011

STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am

[31] E Gulbis (LAT) vs [3] N Djokovic (SRB) - ATP

Not Before 1:00 PM
[15] M Bartoli (FRA) vs [2] K Clijsters (BEL) - WTA
[29] J Chela (ARG) vs [2] R Federer (SUI) - ATP
[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [22] A Kleybanova (RUS) - WTA

Not Before 7:00 PM
[8] A Roddick (USA) vs [30] J Isner (USA) - ATP

Not Before 8:30 PM
D Safina (RUS) vs [16] M Sharapova (RUS) - WTA

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am

[6] J Jankovic (SRB) vs [19] A Ivanovic (SRB) - WTA
[17] M Cilic (CRO) vs [12] S Wawrinka (SUI) - ATP
[18] R Gasquet (FRA) vs [10] J Melzer (AUT) - ATP
[WC] M Raonic (CAN) vs [WC] R Harrison (USA) - ATP
[5] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) or L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) vs M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) - ATP
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) vs A Dolgopolov (UKR) / X Malisse (BEL) - ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am

[7] T Berdych (CZE) vs [26] T Bellucci (BRA) - ATP
[16] V Troicki (SRB) vs [24] M Llodra (FRA) - ATP
[5] F Schiavone (ITA) vs [10] S Peer (ISR) - WTA
[WC] J Jankovic (SRB) / A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) vs [6] V Azarenka (BLR) / M Kirilenko (RUS) - WTA - After Suitable Rest
[WC] C Mchale (USA) or [18] N Petrova (RUS) vs [Q] L Hradecka (CZE) or S Peng (CHN) - WTA

COURT 7 start 11:00 am

[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) vs R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) - ATP
[9] A Radwanska (POL) vs [8] V Azarenka (BLR) - WTA
[23] Y Wickmayer (BEL) vs [25] D Cibulkova (SVK) - WTA

S Mirza (IND) / E Vesnina (RUS) vs K Jans (POL) / A Rosolska (POL) - WTA
M Knowles (BAH) / M Mertinak (SVK) vs [WC] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) - ATP

Face Of The Day

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Dinara Safina of Russia celebrates a point against Samantha Stosur of Australia during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2011 in Indian Wells, California.

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Men's Singles - Third Round

[1] R Nadal (ESP) d [Q] R Sweeting (USA) 63 61
[32] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [4] R Soderling (SWE) 76(8) 64
[21] S Querrey (USA) d [9] F Verdasco (ESP) 75 64
[23] A Montanes (ESP) d [11] N Almagro (ESP) 46 62 64
J Del Potro (ARG) d [20] A Dolgopolov (UKR) 76(3) 63
[25] T Robredo (ESP) d [Q] D Young (USA) 60 64
I Karlovic (CRO) d [28] G Simon (FRA) 63 63
[Q] S Devvarman (IND) d X Malisse (BEL) 61 36 76(5)

Men's Doubles - Second Round
L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) d [5] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) 67(1) 76(6) 12-10
N Djokovic (SRB) / V Troicki (SRB) d [7] L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) 62 46 10-7
R Federer (SUI) / S Wawrinka (SUI) d J Benneteau (FRA) / R Gasquet (FRA) 63 46 12-10

Women's Singles - Third Round
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (28) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) 61 63
Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 76(2) 64
(8) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Urszula Radwanska (POL) 76(3) 63
(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (24) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 60 26 75
(22) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. (13) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 63 64
(16) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (20) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 62 62
(18) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. (WC) Christina McHale (USA) 36 64 62
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (Q) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 63 46 75

Women's Doubles - Second Round
Mirza/Vesnina (IND/RUS) d. (7) Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova (CZE/CZE) 62 63
Jans/Rosolska (POL/POL) d. Chuang/Dulgheru (TPE/ROU) 61 46 10-5

Indian Wells 2011 Day 6 Open Thread

I won't belabor the point, but Donald Young "the most complete player" among the American men (okay, *b*, I'm going to leave you alone now!) just ate a bagel at the hands of none other than Tommy Robredo.

Some good match-ups today. I'm en route to Milwaukee to see my mother so I won't be able to see all of them, but enjoy. And by all means discuss.

ORDER OF PLAY - MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2011

STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am

[1] C Wozniacki (DEN) vs [28] M Martinez Sanchez (ESP) - WTA
[4] R Soderling (SWE) vs [32] P Kohlschreiber (GER) - ATP

Not Before 2:30 PM
[20] A Rezai (FRA) vs [16] M Sharapova (RUS) - WTA
[1] R Nadal (ESP) vs [Q] R Sweeting (USA) - ATP

Not Before 7:00 PM
[4] S Stosur (AUS) vs D Safina (RUS) - WTA
Not Before 8:30 PM
[9] F Verdasco (ESP) vs [21] S Querrey (USA) - ATP

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am

[25] T Robredo (ESP) vs [Q] D Young (USA) - ATP
[11] N Almagro (ESP) vs [23] A Montanes (ESP) - ATP
[20] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs J Del Potro (ARG) - ATP

Not Before 4:30 PM
[WC] C Mchale (USA) vs [18] N Petrova (RUS) - WTA
J Benneteau (FRA) / R Gasquet (FRA) vs R Federer (SUI) / S Wawrinka (SUI) - ATP

STADIUM 3 start 11:00 am

[9] A Radwanska (POL) vs [24] M Kirilenko (RUS) - WTA
U Radwanska (POL) vs [8] V Azarenka (BLR) - WTA
[Q] S Devvarman (IND) vs X Malisse (BEL) - ATP
[28] G Simon (FRA) vs I Karlovic (CRO) - ATP
[Q] L Hradecka (CZE) vs S Peng (CHN) - WTA

COURT 7 start 11:00 am

C Chuang (TPE) / A Dulgheru (ROU) vs K Jans (POL) / A Rosolska (POL) - WTA
[22] A Kleybanova (RUS) vs [13] F Pennetta (ITA) - WTA
[7] I Benesova (CZE) / B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) vs S Mirza (IND) / E Vesnina (RUS) - WTA
N Djokovic (SRB) / V Troicki (SRB) vs [7] L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) - ATP
[5] J Melzer (AUT) / P Petzschner (GER) vs L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) - ATP

Face Of The Day

AP

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia returns a shot to Vera Zvonareva of Russia during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Sunday, March 13, 2011, in Indian Wells, Calif.

::

I watched most of Roddick vs. Blake. It was like old times, in every way. Roddick firing confidently from the baseline, Blake faltering at set ends. Fell asleep on the other matches I wanted to see. Something about Indian Wells has always makes me yawn.

Men's Singles - Second Round
[2] R Federer (SUI) d I Andreev (RUS) 75 76(4)
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d A Golubev (KAZ) 60 64
[7] T Berdych (CZE) d L Kubot (POL) 64 61
[8] A Roddick (USA) d [WC] J Blake (USA) 63 75
[10] J Melzer (AUT) d J Benneteau (FRA) 16 61 64
[12] S Wawrinka (SUI) d N Davydenko (RUS) 36 76(5) 64
[WC] M Raonic (CAN) d [13] M Fish (USA) 75 64
[16] V Troicki (SRB) d [WC] B Tomic (AUS) 64 64
[17] M Cilic (CRO) d F Serra (FRA) 61 63
[18] R Gasquet (FRA) d P Cuevas (URU) 75 63
[WC] R Harrison (USA) d [22] G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) 63 76(4)
[24] M Llodra (FRA) d S Giraldo (COL) 76(6) 64
[26] T Bellucci (BRA) d B Becker (GER) 63 76(5)
[29] J Chela (ARG) d P Petzschner (GER) 46 75 62
[30] J Isner (USA) d R Mello (BRA) 63 76(2)
[31] E Gulbis (LAT) d Y Lu (TPE) 67(1) 76(7) 61 - saved 1 M.P.

Men's Doubles - Second Round
A Murray (GBR) / J Murray (GBR) d J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) 63 36 10-3
M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d M Cilic (CRO) / I Karlovic (CRO) 64 64

Men's Doubles - First Round
[3] M Bhupathi (IND) / L Paes (IND) d S Aspelin (SWE) / J Knowle (AUT) 75 64
M Knowles (BAH) / M Mertinak (SVK) d [8] R Lindstedt (SWE) / H Tecau (ROU) 26 76(3) 12-10
L Dlouhy (CZE) / P Hanley (AUS) d M Granollers (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP) 63 64
[WC] J Erlich (ISR) / A Ram (ISR) d D Marrero (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 67(2) 64 12-10

Women's Singles - Third Round
(2) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 63 26 64
(25) Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) d. (3) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 46 76(4) 64
(5) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (Q) Alizé Cornet (FRA) 62 63
(6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (32) Julia Goerges (GER) 62 64
(10) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (17) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 26 63 75
(23) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. (14) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 36 64 61
(15) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (21) Andrea Petkovic (GER) 64 62
(19) Ana Ivanovic (SRB) d. Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 62 62

Women's Doubles - Second Round
(3) Huber/Petrova (USA/RUS) d. Kondratieva/Voracova (RUS/CZE) 64 60
Hantuchova/A.Radwanska (SVK/POL) d. (5) Chan/Zheng (TPE/CHN) 63 63
(6) Azarenka/Kirilenko (BLR/RUS) d. Schiavone/Stosur (ITA/AUS) 26 64 11-9

Face Of The Day

Getty

American Donald Young celebrates match point against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 12, 2011 in Indian Wells, California.

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Men's Singles - Second Round
[1] R Nadal (ESP) d [Q] R de Voest (RSA) 60 62
[4] R Soderling (SWE) d M Berrer (GER) 63 76(4)
[Q] D Young (USA) d [5] A Murray (GBR) 76(4) 63
I Karlovic (CRO) d [6] D Ferrer (ESP) 76(3) 63
[9] F Verdasco (ESP) d [WC] R Berankis (LTU) 75 20 ret. (back)
[11] N Almagro (ESP) d [Q] M Russell (USA) 64 64
J Del Potro (ARG) d [14] I Ljubicic (CRO) 57 64 62
X Malisse (BEL) d [15] J Tsonga (FRA) 76(6) 75
[Q] S Devvarman (IND) d [19] M Baghdatis (CYP) 75 60
[20] A Dolgopolov (UKR) d V Hanescu (ROU) 64 64
[21] S Querrey (USA) d J Tipsarevic (SRB) 64 64
[23] A Montanes (ESP) d J Nieminen (FIN) 76(5) 26 [COLOR="Blue"]76(2)[/COLOR]
[25] T Robredo (ESP) d M Zverev (GER) 63 36 75
[Q] R Sweeting (USA) d [27] J Monaco (ARG) 61 06 61
[28] G Simon (FRA) d R Schuettler (GER) 63 76(5)
[32] P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [Q] T Smyczek (USA) 26 62 76(6)

Men's Doubles - First Round
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d F Lopez (ESP) / M Raonic (CAN) 64 75
[7] L Kubot (POL) / O Marach (AUT) d G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) / A Montanes (ESP) 64 62
R Bopanna (IND) / A Qureshi (PAK) d E Butorac (USA) / J Rojer (AHO) 76(4) 64
M Cilic (CRO) / I Karlovic (CRO) d [WC] T Bellucci (BRA) / R Harrison (USA) 64 36 10-8

Women's Singles - Second Round
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (WC) Sloane Stephens (USA) 63 62
(4) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (Q) Laura Pous-Tio (ESP) 62 62
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. (7) Li Na (CHN) 46 63 63
(8) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 64 63
(9) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 76(5) 64
(WC) Christina McHale (USA) d. (11) Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) 76(4) 76(7)
(13) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Elena Baltacha (GBR) 64 36 64
(16) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 75 67(3) 61
(18) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) 64 76(3)
(20) Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (Q) Zhang Shuai (CHN) 76(5) 60
(22) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Agnes Szavay (HUN) 63 75
(24) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) 62 13 ret. (dizziness)
Dinara Safina (RUS) d. (26) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 76(2) 64
(Q) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. (27) Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 46 64 64
(28) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. Simona Halep (ROU) 75 60
Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. (31) Klara Zakopalova (CZE) 63 57 62

Women's Doubles - Second Round
(WC) Jankovic/Pavlyuchenkova (SRB/RUS) d. (1) Dulko/Pennetta (ARG/ITA) 75 75
(4) King/Shvedova (USA/KAZ) d. Grandin/Uhlirova (RSA/CZE) 67(4) 63 10-7
(8) Mattek-Sands/Shaughnessy (USA/USA) d. Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) 64 63

Face Of The Day

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Roger Federer of Switzerland fields questions at a press conference during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 10, 2011 in Indian Wells, California.

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There's actually a big event going on in California. Why am I not engaged?

::

Singles - First Round
[Q] R de Voest (RSA) d P Riba (ESP) 64 ret. (groin pain)
[Q] R Sweeting (USA) d M Granollers (ESP) 64 61
[Q] S Devvarman (IND) d A Mannarino (FRA) 62 63
X Malisse (BEL) d [Q] F Cipolla (ITA) 61 64
[Q] M Russell (USA) d K Anderson (RSA) 67(4) 63 64
J Nieminen (FIN) d D Istomin (UZB) 26 75 75
R Schuettler (GER) d R Haase (NED) 76(4) 75
I Karlovic (CRO) d [Q] M Matosevic (AUS) 76(2) 67(3) 62
M Berrer (GER) d B Phau (GER) 64 46 64
[Q] T Smyczek (USA) d I Marchenko (UKR) 26 63 62
V Hanescu (ROU) d A Seppi (ITA) 46 76(5) 63
J Del Potro (ARG) d R Stepanek (CZE) 64 60
[WC] R Berankis (LTU) d [Q] A Bogomolov Jr. (USA) 16 63 64
J Tipsarevic (SRB) d T Kamke (GER) 62 60
M Zverev (GER) d [Q] M Ebden (AUS) 64 63
[Q] D Young (USA) d P Starace (ITA) 26 63 63

Women´s Singles - First Round
Peng Shuai (CHN) d. Renata Voracova (CZE) 75 61
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) d. (Q) Rebecca Marino (CAN) 64 46 64
Agnes Szavay (HUN) d. (WC) Jill Craybas (USA) 63 63
Iveta Benesova (CZE) d. Varvara Lepchenko (USA) 61 62
Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) d. (Q) Misaki Doi (JPN) 76(0) 61
Simona Halep (ROU) d. (Q) Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 06 62 64
Elena Baltacha (GBR) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 26 75 62
Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (Q) Tamira Paszek (AUT) 61 61
Sofia Arvidsson (SWE) d. Zheng Jie (CHN) 63 62
Dinara Safina (RUS) d. Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 63 63
Urszula Radwanska (POL) d. Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 36 64 76(6)
(Q) Zhang Shuai (CHN) d. Ayumi Morita (JPN) 62 26 76(4)
(Q) Lucie Hradecka (CZE) d. (Q) Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 76(6) 62
(Q) Laura Pous-Tio (ESP) d. Angelique Kerber (GER) 62 61
(WC) Christina McHale (USA) d. Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) 63 61
(WC) Sloane Stephens (USA) d. (Q) Jamie Hampton (USA) 62 64

What's Old Is New

Getty

The old guy beat back the youngins -- and Andy Roddick -- to take the first big title of his career. I had a feeling it was going to turn out this way. I blame oddman for writing out the jinx. Roddick, his gifted victory in Brisbane earlier this year notwithstanding, has forgotten how to win. The tortured American is now one for three in finals this year. Not the kind of percentage the third winningest active player on tour can boast. Maybe he can take inspiration from the old guy. Ivan Ljubicic hadn't won anything in so long, not only had he forgotten how to win, but there was virtually no weight on his shoulders as he approached this victory.


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Jelena Jankovic is back. Consider that snark. Caroline Wozniacki became the No. 2 player in the world today. Consider that a joke.

I'm not sure Indian Wells has ever been such a bust.

Next up, Miami. With no Serena Williams.

Thank goodness I've got the farm to keep me busy.

First-Time Finalists

AP

Andy Roddick celebrates his win over Robin Söderling, of Sweden, during their match at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, Calif. , Saturday, March 20, 2010.

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Getty

Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia celebrates match point against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open on March 19, 2010 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California.

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As predicted, 2010 is proving to be quite an unpredictable season. Indian Wells features four new finalists: Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Andy Roddick, who has faltered in desert semifinals more times than I can count, and biggest surprise of them all, Ljubicic, celebrating his 31st birthday with arguably the biggest win of his career.

Who will win?

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Men's Singles - Semifinals
[20] I Ljubicic (CRO) d [3] R Nadal (ESP) 36 64 76(1)
[7] A Roddick (USA) d [6] R Soderling (SWE) 64 36 63

Men's Doubles - Final
[WC] M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d [1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) 76(8) 63

Women's Doubles - Final
K Peschke (CZE) / K Srebotnik (SLO) d [3] N Petrova (RUS) / S Stosur (AUS) 64 26 10-5

Indian Wells Quarterfinals Open Thread

by Craig Hickman


Reuters

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic sticks out his tongue after losing a point against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their match at the Indian Wells ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 18, 2010.

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I didn't get this posted yesterday.

Long story....

I'd never have picked Ivan Ljubicic to get anywhere near the final four, so...

Have at it.

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Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d [19] T Berdych (CZE) 64 76(4)
[20] I Ljubicic (CRO) d [21] J Monaco (ARG) 46 62 61

Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [5] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) w/o (Cermak - back)

Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
(6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (23) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 64 64
(8) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (28) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP)
63 76(7)

Women's Doubles - Semifinals
Peschke/Srebotnik (CZE/SLO) d. Chan/Zheng (TPE/CHN) 16 63 10-4

Well, I'll Be...

Reuters

Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus celebrates his victory over Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Indian Wells ATP tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California March 16, 2010.

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Our own Karen predicted that the top 4 players on the ATP wouldn't advance to the semifinals and the first one to fall is none other than the world's top player.

I went to bed after the first set, trying to get back on my farming schedule, so I only found out a few hours ago that Marcos rallied from a set down to upset the name that had befuddled him on the tennis court through six matches.

Raja had two match points in the second set? Was up a break in the third? Had a third match point? And still lost?

What's that saying about frozen infernos?

While I thought Marcos would beat Raja in Melbourne, which never came to pass because the Cypriot lost early, I didn't give this matchup at this event a second thought.

Color me surprised. Very.

Standing O for Baghdatis.

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Women's Singles - Fourth Round
(2) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (16) Nadia Petrova (RUS) 63 36 60
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. (19) Aravane Rezai (FRA) 63 63
(5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) 63 62
(6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. (17) Shahar Peer (ISR) 62 62
(8) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (12) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 62 75
(28) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (13) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 64 64
(18) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. (WC) Alicia Molik (AUS) 63 46 76(1)
(23) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) 26 76(2) 64

Petrova is probably still berating herself.

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Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Chan/Zheng (TPE/CHN) d. (1) Black/Huber (ZIM/USA) 76(5) 62
Peschke/Srebotnik (CZE/SLO) d. Kirilenko/Radwanska (RUS/POL) 46 76(4) 10-5

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Men's Singles - Third Round
[27] M Baghdatis (CYP) d [1] R Federer (SUI) 57 75 76(4) - saved 3 M.P.
[4] A Murray (GBR) d M Russell (USA) 63 75
[6] R Soderling (SWE) d [28] F Lopez (ESP) 76(3) 64
[7] A Roddick (USA) d T de Bakker (NED) 63 64
[9] J Tsonga (FRA) d [24] A Montanes (ESP) 46 63 63
[18] T Robredo (ESP) d D Sela (ISR) 63 60
[22] J Melzer (AUT) d S Greul (GER) w/o (illness)
N Almagro (ESP) d J Blake (USA) 64 36 63

Still standing.

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Men's Doubles - Second Round
[5] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) d T Bellucci (BRA) / P Cuevas (URU) w/o (Bellucci - back)
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) d I Andreev (RUS) / E Korolev (KAZ) 75 67(5) 10-4
[WC] M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) 64 76(4)
J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO) d T Berdych (CZE) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) 63 46 10-4

Face Of The Day

by Craig Hickman


Reuters

Kim Clijsters of Belgium reacts after losing a point against Alisa Kleybanova of Russia during their match at the Indian Wells WTA tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, March 15, 2010.

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Women's Singles - Third Round
(28) María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
76(4) 62
(6) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 26 76(6) 64
(8) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (25) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 63 60
(17) Shahar Peer (ISR) d. (9) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 64 67(4) 61
(12) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 62 63
(13) Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) d. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 61 36 63
(23) Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) d. (14) Kim Clijsters (BEL) 64 16 76(4)
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) d. (27) Agnes Szavay (HUN) 64 36 61

Azarenka and Clijsters fall on the same day, the defending champ cruises, and Suárez Navarro is picking up steam?

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Women's Doubles - Second Round
(1) Black/Huber (ZIM/USA) d. Amanmuradova/Kustova (UZB/BLR) 62 62
(3) Petrova/Stosur (RUS/AUS) d. Hlavackova/Hradecka (CZE/CZE) 64 60
Peschke/Srebotnik (CZE/SLO) d. Grandin/Spears (RSA/USA) 61 62

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Men's Singles - Third Round
[2] N Djokovic (SRB) d [25] P Kohlschreiber (GER) 63 26 76(3) - Saved 3 M.P.
[3] R Nadal (ESP) d M Ancic (CRO) 62 62
[15] J Isner (USA) d [17] S Querrey (USA) 76(3) 64
[21] J Monaco (ARG) d [11] J Ferrero (ESP) 76(2) 36 63
G Garcia-Lopez (ESP) d [26] T Bellucci (BRA) 46 62 61
[19] T Berdych (CZE) d [10] F Verdasco (ESP) 60 63
[20] I Ljubicic (CRO) d [Q] B Dabul (ARG) 62 63

Djoke is becoming a real fighter, his brain farts notwithstanding. When someone stares down the barrel of match point and survives, it deserves applause. And Philip Kohlschreiber didn't exactly choke. He got tentative, and then pressed on a few shots he didn't really have to hit, but he had been doing that all match, so....

The defending champion Rafael Nadal looks like he's trying make a statement, and I'm not just talking about those horrid shorts, John Isner seems to be grasping the torch, Juan Carlos Ferrero's age is showing, and Tomas Berdych beat the crap out of Fernando Verdasco. It wasn't as close as the lopsided score would suggest.

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Men's Doubles - Second Round
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d J Blake (USA) / A Roddick (USA) 64 36 10-7
[6] S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) d J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) 76(4) 63
I Karlovic (CRO) / D Vemic (SRB) d D Ferrer (ESP) / A Montanes (ESP) 63 46 12-10

Quote For The Day

by Craig Hickman


Getty

"She's like a ball machine. She hits a lot of balls back, hits them hard and deep.

"I mean, I'd say I should have done a much better job on her serve, because her serve is definitely one of her weaker parts of the game, but… "

--Maria Sharapova, after her loss to Zheng Jie at Indian Wells yesterday.

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Women's Singles - Third Round
(2) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) d. (32) Maria Kirilenko (RUS) 60 63
(4) Elena Dementieva (RUS) d. Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) 64 62
(5) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (31) Gisela Dulko (ARG) 61 60
(18) Zheng Jie (CHN) d. (10) Maria Sharapova (RUS) 63 26 63
(11) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Jill Craybas (USA) 62 60
(16) Nadia Petrova (RUS) d. Peng Shuai (CHN) 61 75
(19) Aravane Rezai (FRA) d. (15) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) 67(4) 76(2) 64
(WC) Alicia Molik (AUS) d. (Q) Elena Baltacha (GBR) 60 62

Women's Doubles - Second Round
(2) Llagostera Vives/Martínez Sánchez (ESP/ESP) d. Dulko/Pennetta (ARG/ITA) 75 76(4)
Benesova/Zahlavova Strycova (CZE/CZE) d. (5) Kleybanova/Schiavone (RUS/ITA) 57 75 10-1
(6) Mattek-Sands/Yan (USA/CHN) d. (WC) Garbin/Jankovic (ITA/SRB) 64 46 10-5

Singles - Third Round
[29] V Troicki (SRB) d [5] N Davydenko (RUS) w/o (broken left wrist)

Men's Singles - Second Round
[1] R Federer (SUI) d V Hanescu (ROU) 63 67(5) 61
[4] A Murray (GBR) d A Seppi (ITA) 64 64
[6] R Soderling (SWE) d E Korolev (KAZ) 62 64
[7] A Roddick (USA) d [Q] Y Lu (TPE) 64 64
[9] J Tsonga (FRA) d [Q] M Matosevic (AUS) 61 63
S Greul (GER) d [12] G Monfils (FRA) 16 62 63
J Blake (USA) d [13] D Ferrer (ESP) 61 64
D Sela (ISR) d [14] R Stepanek (CZE) 64 16 62
[18] T Robredo (ESP) d S Stakhovsky (UKR) 36 63 75
[22] J Melzer (AUT) d [WC] D Nalbandian (ARG) 64 61
N Almagro (ESP) d [23] I Karlovic (CRO) 75 76(5)
[24] A Montanes (ESP) d [Q] R Mello (BRA) 36 64 64
[27] M Baghdatis (CYP) d A Clement (FRA) 76(7) 61
[28] F Lopez (ESP) d P Mathieu (FRA) 36 63 64
T de Bakker (NED) d [30] J Tipsarevic (SRB) 32 ret. (abdominal strain)
M Russell (USA) d [32] I Andreev (RUS) 46 63 62

Men's Doubles - Second Round
M Llodra (FRA) / A Ram (ISR) d J Tipsarevic (SRB) / V Troicki (SRB) w/o (Tipsarevic - abdominal strain)

Men's Doubles - First Round
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d E Butorac (USA) / R Ram (USA) 63 64
T Berdych (CZE) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) 76(4) 75
[WC] M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d [3] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) 64 36 10-6
[6] S Aspelin (SWE) / P Hanley (AUS) d J Kerr (AUS) / F Polasek (SVK) 75 63
F Lopez (ESP) / F Verdasco (ESP) d [WC] M Ancic (CRO) / M Fish (USA) 76(9) 63