Nadal, Federer Dominate In Indian Wells Debuts; Dimitrov Slips Past Kyrgios, Sharapova-Azarenka Monday
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On a day rife with upsets, the top names Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams all won in comfort.
Federer had no trouble with the diminutive Diego Schwartzmann crushing the Argentine 6-4, 6-2 in 63 minutes. Federer, a 4-time Indian Wells champion, sets up a Tuesday rematch against the man who gave him his only loss on the season, that a third round shocker at the Australian Open to Andreas Seppi.
“I’m happy to play him again,” Federer said of the Italian. “I was very disappointed with the performance I had in Australia. I know he can play well and can beat me, that’s not the problem. It was the way I was hitting the ball. I wasn’t playing very committed. I wasn’t sure exactly how I was going to hit my forehand and backhands. It was just a tough match overall and the match slipped away from me.
“I really thought Seppi did a good job and nice job of putting the pressure on me, as well,” he said. “I hope this time around it’s going to go better for me. I will be prepared, there is no doubt about that. I’m happy I’m getting an opportunity to play him right away again.”
In the evening, Nadal eased past Igor Sijsling 6-4, 6-2. Rafa will play fellow lefty Donald Young in the third round after the American continued his improved play dispatching Jeremy Chardy.
“I feel like the main thing is I’m being a little more consistent, playing one good match after another one, battling through tough situations, and not letting them be too much and take me out of my rhythm,” said Young.
“It’s a big win for me. Every win at this level is a big win. I don’t think he played his best. I thought I competed well. You’re not able to play great every day, so I’m glad I was able to play well enough to win today.”
The match of the day lived up to the billing has Grigor Dimitrov outlasted a hobble Nick Kyrgios 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-6(4). The young Australian actually served for the match at 5-4 in the third set. But with an injured right ankle he suffered on the previous point that gave him the break at 4-4, Dimitrov broke right back, then closed out the 19-year-old in a final set breaker.
“It obviously played a big part in me not serving out the match, because I had not really been broken before that,” said Kyrgios of the injury which he will undergo an MRI for tomorrow.
Thanks for the messages guys, heading for a scan in an hour. Fingers crossed! Good match @GrigorDimitrov good luck in the next one #MovingOn
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) March 15, 2015
Added Dimitrov, “Coming to the tournament, to any tournament now, I feel much more comfortable, much more confident… I have been out there on those kinds of courts. I think it’s definitely an advantage for me… But I think the game still needs to improve a little bit more. [It] needs a bit of a polish up.”
Other winners included Milos Raonic, Jack Sock and Steve Johnson.
Stan Wawrinka was the big stunner of the day as the No. 7 seed fell in three to Robin Haase.
In the women’s draw, Serena sharpened her gave dismissing Zarina Diyas 6-2, 6-0 in just 53 minutes to reach the fourth round in her first Indian Wells event since 2001.
“I was just trying to get there and win my match in the first round,” she said. “I ended up playing a girl who was super tricky, and I was trying to stay focused, plus all the other stuff going on. But yesterday was super relaxing. It was good to have a day off to have a chance to prepare for my next match.
“Today it definitely felt back to normal out there, just trying to feel the rhythm and feel the ball. I was able to do more of the right things and not make as many mistakes as I did in my last round.”
The win was Serena’s 8th straight at the event. She’ll now take on Sloane Stephens in a hot Tuesday ticket.
“I’ve had some tough matches with Sloane,” Williams said. “She’s had an interesting year, but I’ve noticed she’s been playing really well. She moves well and tries to do her best for everything.
“It will be an interesting, good match-up for me.”
Three top 10 seeds did fall as 2014 finalist and No. 7 Agnieszka Radwanska lost to Heather Watson, No. 8 Ekatarina Makarova was knocked out by the red hot Timea Bascinszky and No. 10 Lucie Safarova was sent off by Elina Svitolina.
On tap Monday, defending champions Novak Djokovic and Flavia Pennetta return, but all eyes will be on the big showdown in the evening between rivals and former Indian Wells champions Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka.
MONDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
WTA – [6] E. Bouchard (CAN) vs [30] C. Vandeweghe (USA)
ATP – [4] A. Murray (GBR) vs [26] P. Kohlschreiber (GER)
WTA – [16] M. Keys (USA) vs [18] J. Jankovic (SRB)
ATP – [6] M. Granollers (ESP) / M. Lopez (ESP) vs P. Carreno Busta (ESP) / R. Nadal (ESP)
Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA – [32] V. Azarenka (BLR) vs [2] M. Sharapova (RUS)
Not Before 8:30 pm
ATP – [1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
ATP – A. Mannarino (FRA) vs [14] E. Gulbis (LAT)
ATP – [28] F. Verdasco (ESP) vs [5] K. Nishikori (JPN)
ATP – [18] J. Isner (USA) vs [16] K. Anderson (RSA)
WTA – [5] A. Ivanovic (SRB) vs [25] C. Garcia (FRA)
WTA – [15] F. Pennetta (ITA) vs [21] S. Stosur (AUS)
Not Before 8:30 pm
ATP – [12] F. Lopez (ESP) vs [20] P. Cuevas (URU)
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