ATP MASTERS 1000 Indian Wells: Let The Party Commence!

First topic message reminder :

At last!

Tennis is back in town. And sleepless nights, and bags under the eyes in the mornings.

For a fortnight or so, we'll forget about fast courts and GOATs and watch some good tennis for a change.

Indian Wells first 1000 Masters event of the year, first "big" tournament after AO.

All players are there, fit and raring to go, the "come-backers": Davydenko, Querrey, Simon, the "newcomers": Tomic (I think he's already out), Raonic, Dolgopolov, and last , but not the least the "big" 4.

I'm sure you'll forgive me for focusing on the top 4 players, because at the moment, they all seem be pretty keen to win this tournament (which is not always the case when it comes to non-slam tournaments).

Nole, who loves slow hard-courts of IW, will want to continue where he stopped in Melbourne, and should he bump into Murray in the semis, show him who's the boss.

Nadal, match-free for nearly 6 weeks, must've worked on his game or serve in the meantime, 2012 is his make or break season in many ways, and it's usually this time of the year he gets going as a warm-up for clay season.

Federer, on a good winning streak since last autumn (lost only two matches, one to Nadal one to Djokovic), will want to get a good result and possibly close the points gap between him and Nadal, or at least keep Murray at bay.

Murray, with, I believe Lendl again by his side, must be hoping that this 2012 is his slam-break-through year: he has been working very hard for several years and generally improving his game and shots. His win over Novak in Dubai must have boosted his confidence immensely, still, he failed to capitalise on it and win Dubai, failing to Federer.
He has few points to defend in IW and Miami, and a great opportunity to move up the rankings.

The players have had a party last night, and all seem to be happy to be there and play.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv8T10SOE

Indian Wells has apparently continued to improve their facilities and make life nicer both for players and fans :

( http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/03/nice-work-if-i-can-get-it.html )

In today's order of play, we have some interesting matches, and Novak and Murray out on central court.

Order of play for Friday, 16th of March:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/404/op.pdf



So, let's enjoy the return of tennis and may the Best win

Finally, last but not the least:

GO NOLEEEEE

Simon breaks. Fight Harrison.

6-1 3rd set simon who plays isner next

Shouldn't I be banned now laverfan?

djlovesyou wrote:Shouldn't I be banned now laverfan?

Can we have a private discussion via PM? I did send you a PM as well.

LuvSports! wrote:WHAT A POINT! amazing defence by feds and he takes the 2nd 6-3

Thanks to bloody slow courts too.

Tenez wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:WHAT A POINT! amazing defence by feds and he takes the 2nd 6-3

Thanks to bloody slow courts too.

Watching Anduhar last night, these courts are made for hard-hitters, Fed is going to have his hands full with Delpo tomorrow. I hope Simon can eliminate Inser, too That one is going to be sooooo interesting to watch as both are as cool as cucumber, Simon more because of his style of play, Isner because he just is.

Nadal vs knackered Nalby...I hope for 3 sets.

Order of play for today:

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/404/op.pdf

Nole, again day match (hasn't had a single night session)

Isner Simon the evening match.

noleisthebest wrote:

Tenez wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:WHAT A POINT! amazing defence by feds and he takes the 2nd 6-3

Thanks to bloody slow courts too.

Watching Anduhar last night, these courts are made for hard-hitters, Fed is going to have his hands full with Delpo tomorrow. I hope Simon can eliminate Inser, too That one is going to be sooooo interesting to watch as both are as cool as cucumber, Simon more because of his style of play, Isner because he just is.

Nadal vs knackered Nalby...I hope for 3 sets.

Yes. Delpo can hit through those courts...I don't think Federer can. He will will have to manoeuvre the giant but it might actually be the other way around.

Hopefully a day rest will do Nalby lots of good.

From what I read in a livetext report, Bellucci played way above his ranking, threw everything at Federer and was never truly out of it until the very last game.

Bellucci's no mug (when he's on fire !) and did once beat Andy M and Berdych on successive days, both in straights, and then take a set off Novak : Madrid last year

Good that he could fight back after losing the opener, but with Fed needing 3 to get through last night, his recent good run against JMDP will surely end later today

I've got a few quid on Delboy for tonight's match at 2/1

The top part of the draw is getting pretty boring with no-one able to give Djoko a challenge. Though like we saw last night...he is good enough to give himself a challenge when there isn't any.

I watched part of the Tsonga-Nalbandian match and Tsonga produced wonderful winners from forehand side, many of them hit from outside of the left tramrails!

Nalbandian didn't look too convincing I must say, and easily gave away his serve a few times. I stopped watching when Tsonga served for the match and was 30-0 up. Very surprised to find out this morning that he still managed to lose!

To trouble Nadal, Nalbandian will need to raise his level a lot.

Regarding Del Potro-Federer: yes it will be tricky for Fed, but didn't we say the same thing when they met in Melbourne (also slow) and Rotterdam?

Tenez wrote:The top part of the draw is getting pretty boring with no-one able to give Djoko a challenge. Though like we saw last night...he is good enough to give himself a challenge when there isn't any.

prostaff : agreed re Nalby, he would have to up his game a LOT, don't see him troubling Rafa too much ; also Federer re AO and Rotterdam etc..

But with each match I think Delpo is getting more & more of the confidence he needs. Fed has played a lot of tennis since the back end of last year (only one loss admittedly) and I'm pretty sure that it's tonight when the age gap will show, if only as regards recovery time

lags72 wrote:
Fed has played a lot of tennis since the back end of last year (only one loss admittedly) and I'm pretty sure that it's tonight when the age gap will show, if only as regards recovery time

Valid point, except that they won't play today but tomorrow! Unfortunately that means that even if Fed finds a way to get past Delpo, he'll face Nadal the very next day...

Ah.. ok, got me timings wrong there !

I wouldn't expect Federer to get past Rafa on this court anyway, regardless of scheduling.

Did anyone watch the Harrison/Simon match? See it was a tight two sets and then a breadstick in the third.

Did the young American acquit himself well?

lags72 wrote:Ah.. ok, got me timings wrong there !

I wouldn't expect Federer to get past Rafa on this court anyway, regardless of scheduling.

oh, ye of little faith...

time please wrote:Did anyone watch the Harrison/Simon match? See it was a tight two sets and then a breadstick in the third.

Did the young American acquit himself well?

I haven't seen it but Tignor has:

http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/03/pro-form.html

Thanks NITB

Sounds a match of two halves!

Some great matches in prospect, loved the Bellucci-Fed match last night. Bellucci was always seen as a talent and is a solid top 30 player. He just needs that mental solidity to come to push up the rankings. But I agree, it gets here on tough for Federer...not just because of the courts but because the players get tougher and more resilient!
Can we stop moaning about the courts though....they are what they are, and as NITB has said they've been this way for years, and Fed is a past 3 time winner here so is clearly adept on them. Besides, we'll have a change of court coming up next at Miami.

Simon, is a great player on form...and it looks like he;s coming into form again. He quietly works through draws and gives the top guys tough matches too...he's like a Davydenko when he's firing, and similarly has underachieved given his ability. I expect him to give Djokovic a tough match as he's a great counterpuncher and feeds off pace.

He 'just' needs to beat Isner....

time please wrote:Did anyone watch the Harrison/Simon match? See it was a tight two sets and then a breadstick in the third.

Did the young American acquit himself well?

I saw teh end of teh first set when Harrison found himself with 2 set points...on Simon's serve. Then lost the TB and its mind.

Still a good show.

time please wrote:Did anyone watch the Harrison/Simon match? See it was a tight two sets and then a breadstick in the third.

Did the young American acquit himself well?

Yes he did, Simon really was his mind boggling and frustrating self. Running everything down and then when you least expect it unloading on a forehand. I think Simon would have driven most players crazy and Harrison did kind of lose his cool in the third set. Simon was very defensive and negative the whole match, but still both guys did produce some very good winners from the back. Harrison in my mind made a tactical error in not finishing enough points at the net and not going for his shot earlier in the rallies. He seemed to want to out Simon, Simon and in the end he paid the price. Very good learning experience for the 19 year old. Simon just put on a grinder masterclass that Harrison failed to counter with proper strategy.

Nole time

And the long-haired, grey, saggy, shirtless grandad is showing off his flab again

That is right nitb, he really should of broken Almagro in that 7th game. Good player Almagro, a lot of firepower for a clay courter. Novak just needs to clean up the errors and take it in 2 sets. Could get draining if he has to do back to back 3 setters in back to back days.

Nitb, I am going to drive down to IW and get the long haired guys number for you. I think you guys need to date.

Wow, Nico bringing the heat in the second set!

socal1976 wrote:Nitb, I am going to drive down to IW and get the long haired guys number for you. I think you guys need to date.

You can do something better than that, just buy him a Nole T-shirt (btw, I'm not into grandads )

Convincing performance for the Djoker today

noleisthebest wrote:

socal1976 wrote:Nitb, I am going to drive down to IW and get the long haired guys number for you. I think you guys need to date.

You can do something better than that, just buy him a Nole T-shirt (btw, I'm not into grandads )

You never know until you try, the guy might be a real sex machine......

Nole puts the foot on the gas pedal to break in the 9th game, serves to love to win the math with a beautiful backhand down the line 6:3 6:4

NOLEEEEEEEE

Jeremy_Kyle wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:

socal1976 wrote:Nitb, I am going to drive down to IW and get the long haired guys number for you. I think you guys need to date.

You can do something better than that, just buy him a Nole T-shirt (btw, I'm not into grandads )

You never know until you try, the guy might be a real sex machine......

Nico must have the IW virus to run off the court like that.

George Clooney??

Jeremy_Kyle wrote:George Clooney??

What about him?

Sorry to Murray fans, but read this and I killed myself laughing

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/tennis/4195544/Andy-Murray-I-felt-like-an-idiot.html

"looked like an idiot because I was arguing with a lady"

....not sure this is his best statement ever.

Looks like Federer is not 100%.

Q. You are under the weather and your family was under the weather on Sunday. How are things going now?
ROGER FEDERER: Slow improvements. I'm still not 100%, so I'm happy that, you know, I did play the tournament and I got kind of what I hoped for. It was a good, sort of a good match with Kudla, you know. Gave myself a chance there and played actually really good under the circumstances.
I was surprised with a day off and playing Raonic who I knew was going to keep the points short. It's kind of what I was hoping for. Now I'm sort of in the tournament and actually feel a bit better.
Still not 100%, but looking forward to be playing a match tomorrow I think it is already again.

Yes the commentator on Tennis channel here was mentioning that Rog was sweating a lot and not at his best. The IW pandemic strikes again? If that be the case I strongly suggest he quickly errors himself out of the del po match to avoid the torture chamber of playing Nadal again. Give himself a day or two extra to recover for miami.

Fed does not have flu, maybe just common cold. If he had flu he certainly would not be able to play.
I think he'll be fine and ready for Saturday.

The line-up for today's quarters is quite nice. Nalby way past his prime but I still like to watch him play. One of the few DHBHs that I actually enjoy watching. What a wasted talent though.

Delpo might just have a chance. He has been getting closer recently. Plus, on Wednesday Fed's level was quite below most of his recent performances, so unless he picks it up again for today, a win for Delpo may be on the cards.

Will be rooting for Federer, but also interested in seeing Delpo play Nadal again one of these days, so Delpo's win will do too.

summer, I think fed has been a bit off his best form and Del Po has been getting stronger with each successive week. I can't disagree with your analysis. Their last matchup in Dubai was extremely close although a two set affair. roger has beaten Del Po a couple of times this year, but the margin seems to be shrinking and now we have reports that Roger is sick. Who knows? I think it is a pick em at this point. I also would be probably more interested in a Del Po-Nadal match at this point.

I think Simon - Djokovic might be an interesting one to watch. Probably a vary close one on these conditions......

gosh, what a waste!

noleisthebest wrote:Fed does not have flu, maybe just common cold. If he had flu he certainly would not be able to play.
I think he'll be fine and ready for Saturday.

exactly - but perhaps it is the dreaded 'man flu' NITB


well done Isner. Really thought Simon was going to come through yesterday. I don't think my picks are doing very well at all.

time please wrote:

noleisthebest wrote:Fed does not have flu, maybe just common cold. If he had flu he certainly would not be able to play.
I think he'll be fine and ready for Saturday.

exactly - but perhaps it is the dreaded 'man flu' NITB


.

Order of play out, Federer Delpo first (8 PM) Nadal Nalbadian straight after.

Sleepless night for Polished Man, Maria vs Ana at 3 AM

http://www.atpworldtour.com/posting/2012/404/op.pdf

Tenez wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:WHAT A POINT! amazing defence by feds and he takes the 2nd 6-3

Thanks to bloody slow courts too.

It was great defence from feds and i remember when he won that great point against DP in Dubai you said fantastic defence from feds ( or something of that persuasion). Is there that much difference between the 2 courts to merit what is great defence in one and not the other? Feds had to run further in the point vs bellucci but dealt well with the barage of heavy shots from DP, both seen as strong defence but is the faster one seen as better defence? sorry just need that clarified?

LuvSports! wrote:

Tenez wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:WHAT A POINT! amazing defence by feds and he takes the 2nd 6-3

Thanks to bloody slow courts too.

It was great defence from feds and i remember when he won that great point against DP in Dubai you said fantastic defence from feds ( or something of that persuasion). Is there that much difference between the 2 courts to merit what is great defence in one and not the other? Feds had to run further in the point vs bellucci but dealt well with the barage of heavy shots from DP, both seen as strong defence but is the faster one seen as better defence? sorry just need that clarified?

Maybe on a "bloody slow court" ball just sits up and slows down drastically near baseline makes it a little more easier to retrieve than on a faster court? Like it takes incredible defense to run down everything on "fast" grass than "slow" clay?

But one point I agree with... On purely basis of defense, both points are incredible...

spuranik wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:

Tenez wrote:

LuvSports! wrote:WHAT A POINT! amazing defence by feds and he takes the 2nd 6-3

Thanks to bloody slow courts too.

It was great defence from feds and i remember when he won that great point against DP in Dubai you said fantastic defence from feds ( or something of that persuasion). Is there that much difference between the 2 courts to merit what is great defence in one and not the other? Feds had to run further in the point vs bellucci but dealt well with the barage of heavy shots from DP, both seen as strong defence but is the faster one seen as better defence? sorry just need that clarified?

Maybe on a "bloody slow court" ball just sits up and slows down drastically near baseline makes it a little more easier to retrieve than on a faster court? Like it takes incredible defense to run down everything on "fast" grass than "slow" clay?

But one point I agree with... On purely basis of defense, both points are incredible...

The 29-shot Federer-Del Potro rally in Dubai was excellent compared to the Bellucci-Federer point.

http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/sport-comment/federer-reminds-dubai-of-his-brilliance

PS: This is another one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZH3_MfUbyc