Indian Wells Day 9 (MOTD: Murray vs Del Potro)

First topic message reminder :

It's time for the first MS1000 of the year! Red and I will be updating the opening post each day with previews of matches that catch the eye, as well as completed results and draws once the tournament moves along a little. If anyone wants to contribute, please do shoot one of us a PM!

96 players are in action with 32 seeds getting a bye into the second round, meaning that as Cogen highlighted, this is the first event since Wimbledon 2011 (at least) where all of the top players in the world are in action. A few of the narratives are the possibility that Federer could be overhauled by Murray at #2, Djokovic looking to continue his unbeaten start to the season, Nadal's triumphant return to hard courts, and numerous other players in reasonable nick - can they challenge for the title, or at least create a few upsets?

Prize: A cool $1 million ($5.4 million purse), and the invaluable 1000 ranking points.
Defending champion is Roger Federer, who defeated John Isner in the 2012 final.
Updated draw on the ATP site.

Preview from Red:


Andy Murray is on the hunt for his maiden Indian Wells title. He has reached the quarter final here, for the first time since he reached the final in 2009, but has a tough task to complete if he is to get his hands on the trophy. He is up against Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro in the quarters today, and if he gets through that he can potentially face Djokovic and Nadal in the next two rounds. In his Round 4 match Murray was not at his best, and looked irritated at the end of his tight 2 set win against Berlocq. Berlocq complained that Murray was taking too long between points, Murray complained that Berlocq was grunting too loudly, and well... I think Berlocq is not on Andy's Christmas card list anymore. With the world number 2 ranking potentially on the line if he reaches the final, Murray fans will be hoping a dismissal of Del Potro will help lighten his mood.

Juan Martin Del Potro has never won a Masters 100 title before. Will this be the week he breaks his duck? He has been on good form so far this tournament, an improvement to his relatively mediocre start to 2013. However he has not yet been tested, and with all respects to Bjorn Phau, a fixture against Andy Murray will be a real step up. In Dubai Del Potro tested Djokovic in both sets, but mentally let himself down in the key moments. Will the same happen here against the Scot? The Argentinian's record against Murray isn't great, and he will have to raise his game if he wants to have a chance of winning.

Key Tactics: Murray has a convincing 5-1 lead over Del Potro in the H2H, with Juan's only win coming on clay in 2009. Murray won the last two matches these two played (also both in 2009), and he will fancy himself to continue this run of wins and extend it today. For Del Potro to win, he must be extremely aggressive, in longer rallies Murray will coast. The higher bounce of the surface should suit Del Potro, as Murray's tactic of the low slice which has worked so well against him will be negated. Thus the onus is on Del Potro to force the play, and big serving and aggressive hitting will be his only chance of winning.

Predictions: I think Murray has too much variety and nous for Del Potro, I see the 2012 USO champion winning in straight sets: 6-3 6-4.

Should Murray win this I hope he dismantles Lu. I still remember that Olympic match...

4-3, looks like MOTD is going to be a close match!

Silver, I think tomorrow's MOTD should be Gasquet vs Janowicz

Del P gets the break from nowhere.. leads 5-3 now.

Looking at the previews, I'd slightly question Dimitrov's poor form. He's up around 20 places since the start of the year, having reached his first ATP final and a 500 semi-final, and is 9-5 for the year.

Wishing I had put money on that 6-2 6-1 for Murray now!

He's been on ok form, but nothing too special yet (Dimitrov).
His AO performance was quite a disappointment- losing R1 to Benneteau.

Hmm, you're right ryan. Somehow I overlooked his Rotterdam run, and career high ranking - I focused too much on his AO performance I think. I'll do a quick edit, cheers.

Del Potro takes the first set 6-3, not quite as simple as it looked though.

Red wrote:Silver, I think tomorrow's MOTD should be Gasquet vs Janowicz

With all the upsets, there aren't too many contenders! That should be a great match though

He has the same difficulties as his predecessor then!!

Murray's cruising now Watch out Lu, he's coming for you.

Yep, just to clear up I did the MOTD preview (we will alternate on that), but it was Silver who did the 'Notable Other Matches'

I actually agreed to an extent that I don't think Dimitrov was in sparkling form.. but he's not playing too badly either. I think he'll routine Ebden though.

I quite fancy Hewitt v Wawrinka myself.

Ah Murray, flakier than Cadbury's.

But occasionally on a different Galaxy?

Worry not, he's just letting his opponent have a Twirl.

(Dolgo a break up in the third)

I think we're seeing why Murray isn't quite at the level of Nadal + Novak; I have never seen Nadal and Novak play badly against nobodies.

Nice puns but don't (Dairy) Milk it.

Is a 6-1 6-1 scoreline a Twix?

I suppose it is.

Good to see Murray surviving a scAero, now I'm away to bed.

Berlocq has broken back against Dolgopolov and now leads 4-3.

ryan86 wrote:Is a 6-1 6-1 scoreline a Twix?

But I wanted to hear the Snickers of the masses, TSJ!

Agreed though, I thought we might see the advent of a new, more ruthless Murray this year after his performances at the AO. We'll see how he gets on from here on out, though...

I also like the look of Hewitt vs Wawrinka, that definitely seems to be the other high profile match that could go either way. Not sure whether it trumps Reechard and JJ though. What do people think?

did murray win?>

Yep.

Berlocq serving for the match.

EDIT: And he wins 6-3.

Bit of a meltdown from Dolgopolov, I'm sure he was 3-2 up with a break. Another seed bites the dust...

Murray looked very rusty in the first six games (and I was getting ready to write an article slating his choice not to play between the AO and here) but after that played pretty well. He'll be annoyed he let the first set slip, but even with that you still felt he had the momentum. Donskoy was quite good, but he just doesn't do enough with his backhand for me: his down the line is pretty good, but I think they showed a stat which showed he hit it cross court 90% of the time, and those shots were mostly loopy with not a lot of menace. Against guys with good BHs that's not going to cut it, and Murray's BH worked quite well today. All in all a decent work out to shake the rust off, and I think the first match he's won at IW for three years?

Del P wins MOTD 6-3 6-4

Was a bit of a damp squib.

Yeah, Nikolay never really troubled him.

Almagro arguing with the umpire.

It isn't Kader Nouni (?) is it?

Almagro is an absolute chump, can't stand him

ryan86 wrote:It isn't Kader Nouni (?) is it?

She is Maria Alves (spelling?).

PS: Mariana Alves from Portugal.

OK, I thought it might be Nouni as appears to get himself into a lot of those situations. Also, was glad Ulrich did the Murray match as I like his voice!

Fognini having a hard time focussing on the match.

Turned the match on just in time to see one of Nole overhead specials.

Other than that, he is doing fine and well on his way to avenge the RG loss.

Time violation and coaching.

laverfan wrote:Time violation and coaching.

He is a bit of a character, is he not?

Wow, Fognini breaks back - four unforced errors from Nole.

Much better from Fognini this set.

summerblues wrote:

laverfan wrote:Time violation and coaching.

He is a bit of a character, is he not?

Which makes him a bit more human, and hence perhaps a bit more likable.

If he wants, he does have some pretty good shots, as LK has mentioned in the past.

The match I remember is Fognini v Monfils @RG 2010 played and stopped around 845pm local time.


Djokovic's inability to close matches surfaces yet again, to be broken. Fognini will serve for the set.

Oh my. Fognini breaks and will be serving for the second set.

Come on Fog, push it to the third.

Set Fognini. Hope SoCal is watching.

one set apiece!

Beautiful FH winner from Fog and a good rally.

2 BPs for Fog. Very nice BH.

what a sad return on BP

summerblues wrote:what a sad return on BP

That too on a second serve.

Methinks Djokovic will pull this one out, but may be close. Duel at the net.

Time violation for Djokovic.