Indian Wells Match Thread (Nadal wins!)

by Silver Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:46 pm

First topic message reminder :

Rafael Nadal defeats Juan Martin Del Potro to win Indian Wells 2013! 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Nadal's route to the title:

R1: Bye
R2: Ryan Harrison (7-6, 6-2)
R3: Leonardo Mayer (Walkover)
R4: Ernests Gulbis (4-6, 6-4, 7-5)
QF: Roger Federer (6-4, 6-2)
SF: Tomas Berdych (6-4, 7-5)
F: Juan Martin Del Potro (4-6, 6-3, 6-4)

Updated draw on the ATP site.

by Danny_1982 Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:54 pm

Born Slippy wrote:Class from Murray. He hasn't executed perfectly but tactically this is the blueprint for how he should play every match.

It's how I'd like to see him play the other top 3 guys every time.

Ironically, I'd rather a bit more of a mix against Delpo... But then again he will benefit from always playing like this. It will become second nature to him.

by The Special Juan Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:57 pm

Some rebound from DelPo.

by Danny_1982 Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:57 pm

7 straight points for Delpo. 3 BP's.

by Silver Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:57 pm

Thanks for the updates chaps, can't watch directly so they're appreciated

Sounds like a decent match so far!

by CaledonianCraig Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:58 pm

Del Potro showing this isn't over yet and breaks Murray to lead 2-0 at the start of the second set. Shoddy stuff by Murray but a great volley in amongst that game from Del Potro.

by The Special Juan Fri Mar 15, 2013 11:58 pm

Who DFs on BP?

We want a golden set!!

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:01 am

Del Potro getting momentum going here and holds his serve to 30 and leads 3-0 in the second set.

by Danny_1982 Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:01 am

Over 50 seconds taken between points on a Murray service game.

Hawkeye has already called the Feds demanding Murray is arrested.

by Mad for Chelsea Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:02 am

meh, desperately poor start to the second set by Murray, still being nice and aggressive but just too many errors. Maybe needs to just rally with Del Potro a bit more...

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:04 am

When I first red that post Danny I misread "the Feds" as "The Fed". picard

I still don't see DelPo winning this.

by Danny_1982 Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:05 am

Agreed MFC.

It makes me delighted to say it, and I'm pretty sure I've never said it before.... But Murray needs to be a little less aggressive!

Better service game here though.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:06 am

Much better service game from Murray and holds to love but has the horse already bolted from the stable? Del Potro leads 3-1.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:08 am

Hmm another return game Murray can't quite get into. He's only really been able to get into two and both times at 30-30 he's made a bad error.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:09 am

Del Potro not going away and holds comfortably to lead 4-1.

by Mad for Chelsea Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:10 am

Del Potro serving superbly so far in this set, Murray just needs to hang in there a bit. Now someone (security apparently) moving about while Del Potro is preparing to serve. Americans picard

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:14 am

The crowd seem pro-DelPo.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:16 am

Mainly, a sign they are enjoying the match and want another set so side with Del Potro - in my opinion.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:18 am

They were pro-DelPo in the first set too, although I don't blame them.

Back to the court, this is some really guff tennis from Murray.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:24 am

A sniff of a chance for Murray at 30 all but Del Potro slams the door shut in his face. Del Potro leads 5-2 in the second set.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:24 am

5-2. DelPo's playing well but Murray's dropped down 2 levels. That was another game where Murray never really got a look in.

by Mad for Chelsea Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:24 am

oh come on, how long are you allowed to take to challenge?!?! Del Potro comes through another little battle there, just been rock solid this set.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:27 am

I have no problems with people checking the lines when they want to challenge but DelPo sort of meanders up to them. Run, boy, run! I think he may just be getting a bit leggy.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:28 am

Del Potro to serve for the second set at 5-3.

by Silver Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:28 am

How're the Murray fans feeling about a third set? Do you think he'll be able to step it up?

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:30 am

Yes, definitely. This is Murray v2. As I said, I think DelPo might just be a bit fatigued now.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:31 am

Silver wrote:How're the Murray fans feeling about a third set? Do you think he'll be able to step it up?

Really not overly fussed. I'd be disappointed for sure but wouldn't complain as Del Potro has played very well thus far. Del Potro takes the second set 6-3.

by Mad for Chelsea Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:33 am

Murray looks a bit tired to me, don't think he's peaking for IW.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:36 am

I can't recall Murray ever serving this many DFs in a (short) match before. He's up to 5 now.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:41 am

And Murray manufactures a break point.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:42 am

Anticlimax of the year Laugh

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:42 am

But it goes with a great second serve from Del Potro and the big Argentinian holds firm to hold - 1-1.

by Cogen Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:44 am

Andy, Andy, Andy... Rolling Eyes

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:45 am

Hmmmmm this could be terminal.

by Cogen Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:46 am

Andy's forgotten how to hit a second serve!

That one at 30-40 was sooooo close to being a double fault.

by Cogen Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:48 am

by Silver Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:48 am

Uh-oh. Still, plenty of time for Murray to respond.

I keep saying it this week, but the ball really is rearing up off the court, even with relatively flat groundstrokes. Favouring JMDP?

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:48 am

That's the match there.

He'll win Miami though

by Mad for Chelsea Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:49 am

yup, Murray's legs are gone, just not getting his feet into position and that gifts Del Potro the break. Wonder if Murray's been putting in some really hard training the last few weeks, or if he just isn't quite match fit after the long lay-off.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:49 am

What I would say here is that should Del Potro win it will (at the moment) be deserved. He has been very solid and played more consistently at a higher level whereas Andy has been more patchy. He has played well in phases and less so in others so there will be no complaints from me. I type this as Del Potro breaks to go 2-1 up.

by Silver Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:50 am

CaledonianCraig wrote:What I would say here is that should Del Potro win it will (at the moment) be deserved. He has been very solid and played more consistently at a higher level whereas Andy has been more patchy. He has played well in phases and less so in others so there will be no complaints from me. I type this as Del Potro breaks to go 2-1 up.

Respect to you for that comment, CC thumbsup

I'll admit that Delpo's one of my favourite players, but I'd quite like Murray to get back in this and take it all the way to the business end of the set.

by Danny_1982 Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:52 am

Murray almost looks like he's mentally checked out here.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:52 am

I think DelPo's constantly played "good" whereas Murray's level has varied from "great" to "awful". I can't deny DelPo the win but I expected more from Sir Andrew.

by Cogen Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:55 am

No more challenges for Del Potro... Could prove crucial later on as there have been a few bad calls this match. I get the feeling Murray's just not all there today though. DP is playing solid and he's got this.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:56 am

Murray just being too obsessed with the cross-court shots. More down the line please Andy. Deuce again on Del Potro's serve.

by Silver Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:57 am

Del Potro looks knackered after that long rally. Break point...

by Danny_1982 Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:58 am

Kudos to Delpo, his slice has improved immensely over the last couple of years.

He's won the slice battle today. No mean feat against Murray.

What a point from Delpo down BP.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:59 am

Great point that and credit again to Del Potro for fabulous defence.

by Danny_1982 Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:00 am

Whoever comes through this will be toast against Novak anyway.

Gruelling for a 3 setter.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:01 am

I don't give him a hope against Djokovic but things are really looking up for DelPo this season.

by CaledonianCraig Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:03 am

I think that was Murray's chance right there and he couldn't quite take it.

Just a side note here - does anyone feel like me that Murray has changed from early in his career. He was very strong in these three set tournies and was when he got his best results whilst his slam results were not so hot. Now that he has developed fitness and physique he has gone the other way. Better in the five set formatted slams and not so polished in the three set tournies.

by Sponsored content