Draw:
[1] Federer (SUI) vs BYE
Hanescu (ROU) vs Chela (ARG)
Clement (FRA) vs Luczak (AUS)
BYE vs [27] Baghdatis (CYP)
[18] Robredo (ESP vs BYE
Stakhovsky (UKR) vs Odesnik (USA)
Sela (ISR) vs (WC) Levine (USA)
BYE vs [14] Stepanek (CZE)
[12]Monfils (FRA) vs BYE
Gasquet (FRA) vs Gruel (GER)
Qualifier vs [WC] Nalbandian (ARG)
BYE vs [22] Melzer (AUT)
[30] Tipsarevic (SRB) vs BYE
De Bakker (NED) vs Daniel (BRA)
Qualifier vs Hernandez (ESP)
BYE vs [7] Roddick (USA)
[4] Murray (GBR) vs BYE
(WC) Ginepri (USA) vs Seppi (ITA)
Lorenzi (ITA) vs Russell (USA)
BYE vs [32] Andreev (RUS)
[23] Karlovic (CRO) vs BYE
Almagro (ESP) vs Zverev (RUS)
Blake (USA) vs Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
BYE vs [13] Ferrer (ESP)
[9] Tsonga (FRA) vs BYE
Llodra (FRA) vs Qualifier
Qualifier vs Zeballos (ARG)
BYE vs [24] Montanes (ESP
[28] Lopez (ESP) vs BYE
Mathieu (FRA) vs Becker (GER)
Mayer (GER) vs Korolev (KAZ)
BYE vs [6] Soderling (SWE)
[5] Davydenko (RUS) vs BYE
Chiudinelli (SUI) vs Gulbis (LAT)
Cuevas (URU) vs Gil (POR)
BYE vs [29] Troicki (SRB)
[19] Berdych (CZE) vs BYE
Falla (COL) vs Serra (FRA)
Qualifier vs A. Beck (GER)
BYE vs [10] Verdasco (ESP)
[15] Isner (USA) vs BYE
Qualifier vs Qualifier
Starace (ITA) vs Chardy (FRA)
BYE vs [17] Querrey (USA)
[31] Benneteau (FRA) vs BYE
Qualifier vs Ancic (CRO)
Qualifier vs Qualifier
BYE vs [3] Nadal (ESP
[8] Cilic (CRO) vs BYE
Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs Lacko (SVK)
(WC) Moya (ESP) vs Qualifier
[26] Bellucci (BRA) vs BYE
[21] Monaco (ARG) vs BYE
O. Rochus (BEL) vs Fognini (ITA)
Ram (USA) vs Koellerer (AUT)
BYE vs [11] Ferrero (ESP)
[16] Simon (FRA) vs BYE
Mayer (ARG) vs Qualifier
Dent (USA) vs [WC] Harrison (USA)
BYE vs [20] Ljubicic (CRO)
[25] Kohlschreiber (GER) vs BYE
C. Rochus (BEL) vs Petzschner (GER)
Berrer (GER) vs Fish (USA)
BYE vs [2] Djokovic (SRB)
Preview:
The first Masters Series 1000 event for 2010 kicks off shortly with the action taking place at the stunning Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The first, and also my favourite, MS event for the year should play host to some wonderful tennis as a few of the top guns return to the tour after being absent for one reason or another.
Despite a lung infection threatening to ruin his chances of appearing at Indian Wells, world #1 Roger Federer has declared he’s fit and ready to go. He resumed training Sunday after being off the court for just shy of three weeks. This is just his third tournament of the year and his first since capturing his 4th Australian Open. His draw is quite easy with the customary bye first up which all seeded players receive, and neither of the potential second round opponents will give him any grief. He’ll likely face Baghdatis in the 3rd which should be a challenge given Marcos’ decent showing in Dubai, but things don’t get interesting for Federer until the Quarters. Stepanek/Robredo, potential 4R opponents, wouldn’t worry him at all but Andy Roddick as a potential QF clash could be interesting. Surprisingly, Roddick’s reached the Semi’s at Indian Wells on three occasions but has never reached the final. He’s already twice a finalist in 2010 and depending on the pair’s respective form; this one could go either way. I’ll likely depend on Federer’s state of mind and whether he’s willing to go the distance to win a non Slam event.
Andy Murray is the 4th seed and last year’s runner-up in a match that was marred by the strong winds. He’s only appeared in two events this year and in his last tournament, Dubai, he fell early to Tipsarevic. There’s no doubting Murray’s quality and he thrives in tournaments like these mainly due to the fact that the pressure isn’t nearly as overwhelming. His draw isn’t ideal but one that he should be able to progress through. He faces either Ginepri or Seppi first up, both dangerous on their day, and Igor Andreev should be his 3R match but that’ll depend on which Andreev rocks up. His 4R opponent could be a host of players including Karlovic, Almagro, Ferrer or even James Blake. It’s probably the most loaded section of the draw but I’ll tip a Murray/Karlovic 4R clash, mainly due to Ivo’s strong showing in Delray Beach. As for the QF, there’s really no one I like from the bottom section of the top half. Tsonga’s patchy at the best of times, Soderling won in Rotterdam but these conditions are completely different and Montannes and Lopez are two of the weaker seeds. If Murray can account for his 4R opponent he should have little trouble reaching the Semi’s.
Rafael Nadal is in the unusual position of 3rd seed and he could slip down one position if he’s not on his game. He’s the defending champion but hasn’t played in the six weeks since his knee flared up in Melbourne. It’s been 10 months since Nadal last tasted tournament success and I struggle to see that streak ending here as there are too many question marks surround his fitness. One thing working in his favour is his draw; he’s got about the best draw he could have hoped for. He’s got a qualifier first up followed by quite possibly comeback kid Mario Ancic which would be a great match-up. Querrey, hot off the back of victory in Memphis, could be waiting in the 4R, as could towering American John Isner, who Querrey topped to win that title. Isner could rattle Nadal if the two were to meet, I’d also give Sam a chance given his form and the fact that he stretched him at the US Open a few years back when he was half the player he is now. After an even longer stint on the sidelines last year Nadal returned to reach the Quarters at Montreal so I wouldn’t put it past him to go deep but it’s almost impossible seeing him win.
Now at a career high #2 and having just defended his title in Dubai to give him 17 career titles, Novak Djokovic could be the man to beat. His draw is favourable just as long as he can fend off former finalist Mardy Fish who he’ll probably meet first up. From there the path will more than likely read Kohlschreiber, Ljubicic followed by the in-form Marin Cilic in the Quarters. He’s twice reached the final, once been a champion and given his decent form of late he’s got every right to feel confident about his chances. Given the best of 3 set format at the Masters Series events, less can go wrong and Djokovic is arguably the best 3 set player in the world. If he’s switched on, feeling and willing to play positive, then at worst he’ll reach his third Indian Wells final.
Nikolay Davydenko shouldn’t be sneaking under the radar these days but once again it seems as though he is. Davydenko’s last match saw him withdraw due to a wrist injury which also forced him to pull out of the Davis Cup so his preparation is less than ideal. He has the bye first up which is good news for him but that’s where it ends as the streaky Gulbis should await next, assuming he can carry on from his title winning form in Delray Beach. Despite already suffering four first or second round losses this year, Troicki is somehow seeded and could be his 3R opponent. Tomas Berdych and Fernando Verdasco are on a collision course for the third round in what could be a memorable shot making affair. If it’s Berdych that progresses then expect Davydenko to reach the Quarters but Verdasco might prove too strong if they were to meet. Given his injury, lack of preparation and the fact that this is his worst performing MS event, he could be due for an early exit, possibly to Gulbis, most definitely Verdasco.
Perhaps that's where the out-and-out contenders end but I have to mention Marin Cilic. He's undoutably the most in-form player on the tour given his 17-2 W/L record to start the year. He’s already won titles in Chennai and Zagreb and is playing with the confidence that could see him make a big push here. Bellucci is potentially difficult in the third but I’d be expecting Cilic to progress through to face Novak in the Quarters and a first MS final is certainly on the cards. Also worth noting Andy Roddick; cakewalk draw until the 4R where either Monfils, Gasquet or perhaps even Nalbandian will wait. I’m expecting him to set up a showdown with Federer.
Indian Wells, along with Miami, has the largest draw at a MS event with a field of 96. This means byes for all seeded players and generally fewer exciting first round clashes. There’s still a couple of interesting first-up matches including Korolev/Mayer, Almagro/Zverev, Fish/Berrer and even Ram/Koellerer. It’s the second round where things start to really heat up. Good to see Carlos Moya handed a WC as it’s always a joy to watch the Spaniard play, and I’m intrigued to see what Nalbandian and Ancic have to offer as both have draws that could see them win a match or two.
Prediction: Murray def. Cilic
It’s always tough to accurately predict the first MS event of the year, especially when you take into consideration the lack of preparation of Federer, Nadal and to a lesser extent Davydenko. Unfortunately Del Potro is absent, still suffering from the injury to his wrist. Although still slam-less, Andy Murray’s arguably the 2nd best hard court player in the world and I like his chances of taking the title. His draw is quite tough but he should have the class to fend off all comers. If Federer is motivated perhaps we’ll see a repeat of Cincinnati but now doesn’t seem like the time. As for the other finalist, I think it’ll come down to two men, either Cilic or Djokovic. Both are confident and in good form having won titles this year and if they do meet in the Quarters whoever wins will reach the final. I just don’t see the top section of the bottom half producing the finalist as there’s a lot of questions surrounding that bunch.
[1] Federer (SUI) vs BYE
Hanescu (ROU) vs Chela (ARG)
Clement (FRA) vs Luczak (AUS)
BYE vs [27] Baghdatis (CYP)
[18] Robredo (ESP vs BYE
Stakhovsky (UKR) vs Odesnik (USA)
Sela (ISR) vs (WC) Levine (USA)
BYE vs [14] Stepanek (CZE)
[12]Monfils (FRA) vs BYE
Gasquet (FRA) vs Gruel (GER)
Qualifier vs [WC] Nalbandian (ARG)
BYE vs [22] Melzer (AUT)
[30] Tipsarevic (SRB) vs BYE
De Bakker (NED) vs Daniel (BRA)
Qualifier vs Hernandez (ESP)
BYE vs [7] Roddick (USA)
[4] Murray (GBR) vs BYE
(WC) Ginepri (USA) vs Seppi (ITA)
Lorenzi (ITA) vs Russell (USA)
BYE vs [32] Andreev (RUS)
[23] Karlovic (CRO) vs BYE
Almagro (ESP) vs Zverev (RUS)
Blake (USA) vs Gimeno-Traver (ESP)
BYE vs [13] Ferrer (ESP)
[9] Tsonga (FRA) vs BYE
Llodra (FRA) vs Qualifier
Qualifier vs Zeballos (ARG)
BYE vs [24] Montanes (ESP
[28] Lopez (ESP) vs BYE
Mathieu (FRA) vs Becker (GER)
Mayer (GER) vs Korolev (KAZ)
BYE vs [6] Soderling (SWE)
[5] Davydenko (RUS) vs BYE
Chiudinelli (SUI) vs Gulbis (LAT)
Cuevas (URU) vs Gil (POR)
BYE vs [29] Troicki (SRB)
[19] Berdych (CZE) vs BYE
Falla (COL) vs Serra (FRA)
Qualifier vs A. Beck (GER)
BYE vs [10] Verdasco (ESP)
[15] Isner (USA) vs BYE
Qualifier vs Qualifier
Starace (ITA) vs Chardy (FRA)
BYE vs [17] Querrey (USA)
[31] Benneteau (FRA) vs BYE
Qualifier vs Ancic (CRO)
Qualifier vs Qualifier
BYE vs [3] Nadal (ESP
[8] Cilic (CRO) vs BYE
Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs Lacko (SVK)
(WC) Moya (ESP) vs Qualifier
[26] Bellucci (BRA) vs BYE
[21] Monaco (ARG) vs BYE
O. Rochus (BEL) vs Fognini (ITA)
Ram (USA) vs Koellerer (AUT)
BYE vs [11] Ferrero (ESP)
[16] Simon (FRA) vs BYE
Mayer (ARG) vs Qualifier
Dent (USA) vs [WC] Harrison (USA)
BYE vs [20] Ljubicic (CRO)
[25] Kohlschreiber (GER) vs BYE
C. Rochus (BEL) vs Petzschner (GER)
Berrer (GER) vs Fish (USA)
BYE vs [2] Djokovic (SRB)
Preview:
The first Masters Series 1000 event for 2010 kicks off shortly with the action taking place at the stunning Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The first, and also my favourite, MS event for the year should play host to some wonderful tennis as a few of the top guns return to the tour after being absent for one reason or another.
Despite a lung infection threatening to ruin his chances of appearing at Indian Wells, world #1 Roger Federer has declared he’s fit and ready to go. He resumed training Sunday after being off the court for just shy of three weeks. This is just his third tournament of the year and his first since capturing his 4th Australian Open. His draw is quite easy with the customary bye first up which all seeded players receive, and neither of the potential second round opponents will give him any grief. He’ll likely face Baghdatis in the 3rd which should be a challenge given Marcos’ decent showing in Dubai, but things don’t get interesting for Federer until the Quarters. Stepanek/Robredo, potential 4R opponents, wouldn’t worry him at all but Andy Roddick as a potential QF clash could be interesting. Surprisingly, Roddick’s reached the Semi’s at Indian Wells on three occasions but has never reached the final. He’s already twice a finalist in 2010 and depending on the pair’s respective form; this one could go either way. I’ll likely depend on Federer’s state of mind and whether he’s willing to go the distance to win a non Slam event.
Andy Murray is the 4th seed and last year’s runner-up in a match that was marred by the strong winds. He’s only appeared in two events this year and in his last tournament, Dubai, he fell early to Tipsarevic. There’s no doubting Murray’s quality and he thrives in tournaments like these mainly due to the fact that the pressure isn’t nearly as overwhelming. His draw isn’t ideal but one that he should be able to progress through. He faces either Ginepri or Seppi first up, both dangerous on their day, and Igor Andreev should be his 3R match but that’ll depend on which Andreev rocks up. His 4R opponent could be a host of players including Karlovic, Almagro, Ferrer or even James Blake. It’s probably the most loaded section of the draw but I’ll tip a Murray/Karlovic 4R clash, mainly due to Ivo’s strong showing in Delray Beach. As for the QF, there’s really no one I like from the bottom section of the top half. Tsonga’s patchy at the best of times, Soderling won in Rotterdam but these conditions are completely different and Montannes and Lopez are two of the weaker seeds. If Murray can account for his 4R opponent he should have little trouble reaching the Semi’s.
Rafael Nadal is in the unusual position of 3rd seed and he could slip down one position if he’s not on his game. He’s the defending champion but hasn’t played in the six weeks since his knee flared up in Melbourne. It’s been 10 months since Nadal last tasted tournament success and I struggle to see that streak ending here as there are too many question marks surround his fitness. One thing working in his favour is his draw; he’s got about the best draw he could have hoped for. He’s got a qualifier first up followed by quite possibly comeback kid Mario Ancic which would be a great match-up. Querrey, hot off the back of victory in Memphis, could be waiting in the 4R, as could towering American John Isner, who Querrey topped to win that title. Isner could rattle Nadal if the two were to meet, I’d also give Sam a chance given his form and the fact that he stretched him at the US Open a few years back when he was half the player he is now. After an even longer stint on the sidelines last year Nadal returned to reach the Quarters at Montreal so I wouldn’t put it past him to go deep but it’s almost impossible seeing him win.
Now at a career high #2 and having just defended his title in Dubai to give him 17 career titles, Novak Djokovic could be the man to beat. His draw is favourable just as long as he can fend off former finalist Mardy Fish who he’ll probably meet first up. From there the path will more than likely read Kohlschreiber, Ljubicic followed by the in-form Marin Cilic in the Quarters. He’s twice reached the final, once been a champion and given his decent form of late he’s got every right to feel confident about his chances. Given the best of 3 set format at the Masters Series events, less can go wrong and Djokovic is arguably the best 3 set player in the world. If he’s switched on, feeling and willing to play positive, then at worst he’ll reach his third Indian Wells final.
Nikolay Davydenko shouldn’t be sneaking under the radar these days but once again it seems as though he is. Davydenko’s last match saw him withdraw due to a wrist injury which also forced him to pull out of the Davis Cup so his preparation is less than ideal. He has the bye first up which is good news for him but that’s where it ends as the streaky Gulbis should await next, assuming he can carry on from his title winning form in Delray Beach. Despite already suffering four first or second round losses this year, Troicki is somehow seeded and could be his 3R opponent. Tomas Berdych and Fernando Verdasco are on a collision course for the third round in what could be a memorable shot making affair. If it’s Berdych that progresses then expect Davydenko to reach the Quarters but Verdasco might prove too strong if they were to meet. Given his injury, lack of preparation and the fact that this is his worst performing MS event, he could be due for an early exit, possibly to Gulbis, most definitely Verdasco.
Perhaps that's where the out-and-out contenders end but I have to mention Marin Cilic. He's undoutably the most in-form player on the tour given his 17-2 W/L record to start the year. He’s already won titles in Chennai and Zagreb and is playing with the confidence that could see him make a big push here. Bellucci is potentially difficult in the third but I’d be expecting Cilic to progress through to face Novak in the Quarters and a first MS final is certainly on the cards. Also worth noting Andy Roddick; cakewalk draw until the 4R where either Monfils, Gasquet or perhaps even Nalbandian will wait. I’m expecting him to set up a showdown with Federer.
Indian Wells, along with Miami, has the largest draw at a MS event with a field of 96. This means byes for all seeded players and generally fewer exciting first round clashes. There’s still a couple of interesting first-up matches including Korolev/Mayer, Almagro/Zverev, Fish/Berrer and even Ram/Koellerer. It’s the second round where things start to really heat up. Good to see Carlos Moya handed a WC as it’s always a joy to watch the Spaniard play, and I’m intrigued to see what Nalbandian and Ancic have to offer as both have draws that could see them win a match or two.
Prediction: Murray def. Cilic
It’s always tough to accurately predict the first MS event of the year, especially when you take into consideration the lack of preparation of Federer, Nadal and to a lesser extent Davydenko. Unfortunately Del Potro is absent, still suffering from the injury to his wrist. Although still slam-less, Andy Murray’s arguably the 2nd best hard court player in the world and I like his chances of taking the title. His draw is quite tough but he should have the class to fend off all comers. If Federer is motivated perhaps we’ll see a repeat of Cincinnati but now doesn’t seem like the time. As for the other finalist, I think it’ll come down to two men, either Cilic or Djokovic. Both are confident and in good form having won titles this year and if they do meet in the Quarters whoever wins will reach the final. I just don’t see the top section of the bottom half producing the finalist as there’s a lot of questions surrounding that bunch.
Matosevic qualified beating Donald Young, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(8), good effort from him, saw him play at AO, didn't think he was quite capable of a result like that but well done to him, hope he just enjoys being out there in a main draw in a tournament as big as this. Lindhal lost in 3 disappointingly. Luczak has Clement in the first round as we know, winnable but has questionable form, would love to him just incase there's a chance a match between him and Baghdatis could sneak onto a TV court.
