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.

Nadal may as well tank this.

The last time Fed was written off was Wimbledon 2012- ominous signs for the rest of the draw.

Red wrote:Roger basically has a bye to the semis.
He will crush Gulbis or Nadal.

Eh? What makes you say that?

First set, I can forgive Andy for squeezing it on a tie-breaker. Berlocq was playing really well at the start.

But this second set has been rather underwhelming...

Not sure.

found someone with a worse overhead than Djokovic

Berlocq has missed four and counting, not even sure he's made one yet.

Great line-up all day today - unfortunately I have been swamped at work these days and just got home - missed all of Fed's match
Will watch a bit now.

Andyyyyyyy! =D

Credit for pulling through a somewhat bizarre match but on this form (and dodgy back from what some are saying) Federer seems destined for the surrender of a third title in a row from his collection of 2012 trophies - and once again without even making the Final I would think. Not a pretty sight for these first three months of his season........

Good preview from Red on the MOTD match Nadal v Gulbis, nicely-written, but I certainly can't go with the prediction itself. Straight sets for Rafa methinks, most probably something like 6-4 6-3. I don't see Gulbis suddenly becoming a Nadal beater - hard courts or not.

Red: you're at your pre-emptive jinxing again. Makes little sense after an otherwise rational preview...

wow that's a reaction and a half from Murray at the end there. Sneaks through without being totally convincing, mental strength got him through that one really.

He seems happier to have beaten Berlocq than he was when he won the US Open.

I don't think he really liked Berlocq there. Noticed that Berlocq made a show of patting him on the arm again after the handshakes and saying something, maybe an apology for the incident at 4-4 in the first (did anyone pick up on what that was BTW?), Murray seemed to brush it off a bit, suspect Berlocq won't be on his X-mas card list...

Lags- its a prediction
Of course we dont have to agree on that, I think Nadal is short of HC match practice.

Glad you liked the overall preview though

also so far I'm 6 from 6 in my previews for today's matches, just need Haas and Nadal to come through and I'm good

Mad for Chelsea wrote:also so far I'm 6 from 6 in my previews for today's matches, just need Haas and Nadal to come through and I'm good

6 for 6? ... but... there's only been 5 matches?

Or have you already given Djokovic the win over Querrey? ... Might as well to be honest.

well does anyone really think Querrey will trouble Djokovic?

You've got me beat, MfC. 3/5 here! Raonic and Stan were so close, but...

Red, I like your analysis that Gulbis needs to just go out there guns blazing right from the start, spot on hopefully he'll serve well and give himself a good platform to attack.

Red : Short of HC practice maybe ; but not short of talent, and generally looking pretty sharp already I'd say.

Fair comment, they're predictions not certainties. If they were the latter ........I guess there would be no need to bother playing the match.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:well does anyone really think Querrey will trouble Djokovic?

Not tonight.

But he gave him a LOT of trouble at the Paris Masters.

lags72 wrote:

Mad for Chelsea wrote:well does anyone really think Querrey will trouble Djokovic?

Not tonight.

But he gave him a LOT of trouble at the Paris Masters.

I was there that day, utterly bizarre match. Djokovic won the first 8 games or so, then inexplicably lapsed and couldn't be bothered to fight back. can't see the same happening tonight though...

Gulbis' backhand is a gem of a shot. He looks good thus far...

Interesting comments there MfC.

Tennis is covered well these days on TV but always good to hear from someone who has witnessed a particular match first-hand

I'm too tired.... Bed time for me. Night all.

And me.

I guess if this goes 3 sets and Errani/Sharapova drags as well, there's a chance we could catch the end of Djokovic/Querrey when we wake.

Night, lags & Cogen.

Well...this is a turn up. Can Gulbis do it? He looks great so far.

That was just excellent, thoroughly enjoyable and quality tennis. Gulbis really turned up to play, and if Nadal wasn't in good nick then he would've been blown off court early on. Positive play from both and Nadal's forehand looks as reliable as ever, even if a few other aspects of his game - namely the serve - were slightly off.

I was shocked that Gulbis didn't mentally or physically wilt at any stage, he definitely didn't throw the match away and showed a lot more fortitude than I personally thought he was capable of. Really impressed with him tonight, maybe the hype is justified?

Either way, Fedal is on! Last time they played before a SF was nine years ago in Miami, I think. Time to sleep...

Woke up to find Stan threw away the easiest chance to get a win over Federer yet. Really surprised Federer won, the standard was hideous. I can't believe it's smart to play when so obviously troubled - I get it that Wimbledon was worth the risk, but not Indian Wells.

Are they really away to start Djokovic v Querrey? It's currently 12:14 so unless Djokovic wraps it up quickly (which he may well do) he might be finishing rather late/early. Wouldn't it be a shame if they put him first on today

What Murray was angry about:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21782218

I'm surprised he doesn't moan about others.

I don't know Silver, Gulbis' forehand really brokedown at some key moments on some easy mid court balls. But overrall great tennis so far. This scheduling may really hurt Novak's chance of winning this match. How can he sleep tonight. I played tennis and finished at 630 and I can't get to bed. Novak will probably be up till sunrise.

Nadal gets caught getting coaching and gets warned. He calls over the lineperson who spoke spanish and the guy threw him under the bus and told the umpire his coach was telling him to hit to the backhand.

Federer demands a challenge on his wide serve after Wawrinka hits a return and he misses a volley afterwards. Challenging two shots prior to his miss. And then he argues with the official about why he can't challenge two shots ago. Both Nike/Edberg Award winners couching themselves in glory. One gets caught coaching the other guy argues for a challenge two shots ago, and gets ticked off when he doesn't get it. Keep buying those 250 dollar chinese sneakers and we have always been at war with eurasia!

Novak looks really peed he is out here this late, Larry you need to up the appearance fee for sheet like this buddy let go of some more of that Oracle money.

Querrey is really playing a great set again after getting bagelled. Deja vu all over again?

Job well done, Novak, now go and get some sleep.

You too, Socal!

socal1976 wrote:I don't know Silver, Gulbis' forehand really brokedown at some key moments on some easy mid court balls. But overrall great tennis so far. This scheduling may really hurt Novak's chance of winning this match. How can he sleep tonight. I played tennis and finished at 630 and I can't get to bed. Novak will probably be up till sunrise.

Nadal gets caught getting coaching and gets warned. He calls over the lineperson who spoke spanish and the guy threw him under the bus and told the umpire his coach was telling him to hit to the backhand.

Ha, even after all those years Nadal still needs his coach to tell him to hit to the backhand. I'm pretty sure you can condition even a dog in about a month to hit to the backhand consistently, but Rafa 'Braindead' Nadal needs more time before things sip in.

Chydremion wrote:Ha, even after all those years Nadal still needs his coach to tell him to hit to the backhand. I'm pretty sure you can condition even a dog in about a month to hit to the backhand consistently, but Rafa 'Braindead' Nadal needs more time before things sip in.

"Go for the backhand, Rafa! And hit it with lots lots of topspin... with the racquet, Rafa, with the racquet!"

Ha, even after all those years Nadal still needs his coach to tell him to hit to the backhand. I'm pretty sure you can condition even a dog in about a month to hit to the backhand consistently, but Rafa 'Braindead' Nadal needs more time before things sip in.


Well I dont think he will have to be told in the match today do you ?
Dont you wish you were as "Braindead" as him.

Ironically enough it was probably poor advice anyway, because...

socal1976 wrote:I don't know Silver, Gulbis' forehand really brokedown at some key moments on some easy mid court balls.

Yeah, that is true and probably expected given the bizarre technique. He did look pretty loose on the stroke at points, and towards the end was tiring on it a bit so I agree about the forehand breakdown, but overall he seemed to stay in the match mentally and didn't have a technique meltdown which I was surprised at. He did look rock solid on the BH and generally was a lot more consistent than I expected, I thought he'd be ground up by Nadal. Much more pivotally, the belief is clearly there and maybe he'll have an appetite for more now that he knows he can push the very best if he plays well. Not a bad performance at all

Good match btw, socal?

well I got 7 of 8 right though the one I got wrong I got wrong pretty badly.

Murray complaining about the grunting eh? I suspect he realy didn't like Berlocq having a go at him for taking too long either (Murray is usually one of the quicker players on tour, though he was taking longer than usual last night, he seemed to be sweating more than average). I like a bit of needle though (like socal), tennis gets a bit dull otherwise.

Only caught the first set of Nadal, where TBH he didn't play well: too passive, was letting Gulbis dictate all the points, and wasn't serving well. Went to bed thinking he was on his way out, but glad he managed to turn it around.

Nadal said he played bad in the 1st set so you're right there.

Wonder what time Djokovic got to bed last night given his match nearly finished at 2am...that is a completely ridiculous time for top pros to have to play and be expected to come back and compete 100% the next day. These late finishes should be outlawed...no starts later than 9pm in my opinion. It puts him at a disadvantage compared to other players who'll be tucked up in bed whilst he's still out there.

Its also rough on the attending crowds who will have to ruin part of their next day recovering from a late night and drive home.

Haddie-nuff wrote:Ha, even after all those years Nadal still needs his coach to tell him to hit to the backhand. I'm pretty sure you can condition even a dog in about a month to hit to the backhand consistently, but Rafa 'Braindead' Nadal needs more time before things sip in.


Well I dont think he will have to be told in the match today do you ?
Dont you wish you were as "Braindead" as him.

Absolutely not. I don't want or need another person to act as my brain.

You wouldn´t say that if you were earning his money.. it takes more than a racket to do what he does

Toni

Red wrote:Toni

Is today Hug-a-cheat day?

Julius

Red wrote:Julius

It must be then!!

Red wrote:Julius

Amritia/IMBL/Red

Can I just abbreviate your 3 names to AIR?

JuliusHMarx wrote:

Red wrote:Julius

Amritia/IMBL/Red

Can I just abbreviate your 3 names to AIR?

Ha ha!
lol funnily enough there was a poster on 606 called AIR, but unfortunately that wasn't me, I was just amritia3ee.

lydian wrote:Nadal said he played bad in the 1st set so you're right there.

Wonder what time Djokovic got to bed last night given his match nearly finished at 2am...that is a completely ridiculous time for top pros to have to play and be expected to come back and compete 100% the next day. These late finishes should be outlawed...no starts later than 9pm in my opinion. It puts him at a disadvantage compared to other players who'll be tucked up in bed whilst he's still out there.

Its also rough on the attending crowds who will have to ruin part of their next day recovering from a late night and drive home.

Looks like Djoko has a day off today.