Murray and Top Seeds Cruise; 6 Lower Seeds Lose at Indian Wells; Djokovic, Nadal Sunday

by Staff | March 13th, 2016, 1:53 am
  • 34 Comments

The top seeds advanced, but six lower seeds were sent packing on Saturday at Indian Wells.
ADHEREL
Top 10 seeds advancing into the third round were No. 2 Andy Murray defeating Spain’s Marcel Granollers 6-4, 7-6(3); No. 3 Stan Wawrinka sweeping past the Ukraine’s Illya Marchenko 6-3, 6-2; No. 6 Tomas Berdych putting down Juan Martin Del Potro’s comeback 7-6(4), 6-2; No. 8 Richard Gasquet taming countryman Nicolas Mahut 6-4, 6-1; and No. 10 Marin Cilic beating qualifier Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-3.

“He’s got quite a different game,” Murray said of Granollers. “He’s a very smart player and often makes the right decisions. He made it tough for me. When it gets windy here it can be difficult to play really well, I think. It does make it challenging.”

Murray will next meet Argentine Federico Delbonis who upset No. 32 Joao Sousa 7-6(6), 6-4.


Berdych will next face Croat Borna Coric, who upset No. 29 Thomaz Bellucci 6-2, 6-2.

“These guys are the best of the world,” del Potro said. “I need to keep playing matches and tournaments. I can work hard at home physically, mentally, but I need matches to improve, you know. This is the only way.”

Other seeded winners were No. 12 Milos Raonic, No. 13 Gael Monfils, No. 15 David Goffin needing to come from a set down to beat American wildcard Frances Tiafoe 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(2), and No. 17 Bernard Tomic defeating Rajeev Ram.

Upset makers were Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer ousting No. 20 Viktor Troicki 7-5, 6-3, and Guido Pella outlasting No. 22 Pablo Cuevas 6-1, 4-6, 6-4; Spain’s Albert Ramos beating the back-from-illness No. 24 Nick Kyrgios 7-6(4), 7-5; and Russian Andrey Kuznetsov topping No. 28 Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-2.

“I’m nowhere near where I was,” Krygios said of recovering from illness. “I was trying to force practice sessions here, trying to push, but my body wasn’t letting me do it.”

Matches to look for Sunday are (23) Grigor Dimitrov vs. Alexander Zverev, (1) Novak Djokovic vs. (Q) Bjorn Fratengelo, (4) Rafael Nadal vs. Gilles Muller, and (25) Martin Klizan vs. Fernando “Hot Sauce” Verdasco.

SUNDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
WATP – [23] G. Dimitrov (BUL) vs A. Zverev (GER)
ATP – M. Kukushkin (KAZ) vs [5] K. Nishikori (JPN)
WTA – [1] S. Williams (USA) vs Y. Putintseva (KAZ)
ATP – [1] N. Djokovic (SRB) vs [Q] B. Fratangelo (USA)

Not Before 7:00 pm
ATP – [4] R. Nadal (ESP) vs G. Muller (LUX)
Not Before 8:30 pm
WTA – [30] E. Makarova (RUS) vs [5] S. Halep (ROU)

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
WTA – [3] A. Radwanska (POL) vs [32] M. Niculescu (ROU)
ATP – [Q] V. Millot (FRA) vs [7] J. Tsonga (FRA)
ATP – V. Pospisil (CAN) vs [16] G. Simon (FRA)
WTA – [19] J. Jankovic (SRB) vs C. Vandeweghe (USA)
Not Before 6:00 pm
ATP – [9] J. Isner (USA) vs A. Seppi (ITA)


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34 Comments for Murray and Top Seeds Cruise; 6 Lower Seeds Lose at Indian Wells; Djokovic, Nadal Sunday

J-Kath Says:

No problem for Novak. The other matches more competitive…guessing that Alexander, Rafa and Fernando will get thru


Pauly Says:

Kyrgios

Wow he’s really in trouble mentally
Great talent but what an imbecile
Someone needs to sit him down & tell him how to behave


jalep Says:

Nole and Rafa Sunday and…

Grigor v Sascha Z. Probably Grigor wins but I hope for a good match.

Wouldn’t be surprised if Kukushkin upsets Kei.

Hope Simona can play like she did Friday.
Aga is still injured from Doha QF, I think. She’s not at her best.

Crazy Klizan could win over Verdasco. Could be a good match, you never know. Winner to play Rafa. Hopefully Rafa, that is.


jalep Says:

Sascha serving from behind 1st set. Someone made the point that this is not the best court surface for Sascha but the ball is flying. Easy hold SZ, 2-2.

Grigor serving. Challenge, SZ. Barely in. Point to Grigor. Whoa golly, SZ, BH winner! 30-15. 30 30. hehe. Bp SZ. 30-40. And he gets it!!

3-2 Sascha. SZ serving. 15-0. second serve. DF. 15-15. Camera needs moving for Sash. 30-15. 40-15. SZ not serving great but Dimi unable to take advantage. Sash 4-2


jalep Says:

Grigor with an easy service game.

4-3. Sash serving. 15-0. 30-0. Second serve, 40-0. nice second serve. UE, SZ bad volley. 40-15. Ace!
5-3 Sascha.

Grigor serves. 15-0. Nice volley Dimi, not to be out-done. 30-0. 40-0. Easy hold.

5-4 Sascha.


Van Persie Says:

Monica Niculescu can be difficult for Aga. Monica uses the slisez a lot…but I guess Aga will win.

3-2 Aga, Monica is serving


jalep Says:

Serving for set. 15-0. 5 aces now for SZ. 2nd serve. 30-0. DF. 30-15. 40-15. Set point. Ace. 6th ACe.

Setscha 6-4.

RBA got a w/o from Colonal Mikhail Youzhny.
Aga up a break 1st set on Niculescu. Go Aga!


jalep Says:

Yes, Monica is a tough opponent, Van Persie! And Aga hasn’t been moving well since the QF at Doha.

Monica going to break back maybe…
I picked Monica to win.


Van Persie Says:

Am focussed now on Sascha. Go Sascha!


Van Persie Says:

Monica is funny..the way she plays, the noises she makes….makes me laugh.
She plays a sort of ping pong :)


Van Persie Says:

Thiem plays against Kovalik. Never heard of Kovalik


jalep Says:

Tennis Channel dictates to me which match I watch. They are showing Monica v Aga. But I love this match, too…so… machts nichts…er, it matters not?


jalep Says:

Kovalik. I’ve heard of him. But never seen him play. Good Luck Nole ole…

5-2 Aga.

Dimi serving ahead again. 1-1. from livescore. TC on Rad-Nicu match.


jalep Says:

Sorry VP. I got my wires crossed. Thiem is playing Kovalik. I’ve never seen Frantangelo play – Nole will play Bjorn Fratangelo. Shouldn’t be a problem.


jalep Says:

Sure I’d like to see Sascha keep winning and winning but I’m trying to be realistic. Grigor should win this. (tennis channel talking non-stop – not showing any tennis).

Kovalik isn’t in the top 100, he’s from Slovakia.
Thiem wins the 1st set in a close tie break.

Marathon deuce point, Sascha v Dimi. Sascha trying to hold. Wish TC would get back to the match!

Dimi gets the break 2nd set and holds. 4-1.
Aga up 3-0

Time for coffee and pancakes.


Van Persie Says:

Jalep, I watch Sasca on TV and Aga on laptop. My boyfriend told me now, he is sick and tired of tennis, …soo took the laptop away :(

Geniess deinen Kaffee und Pfannkuchen ;)


Van Persie Says:

1-1 Sascha vs Dimi


Van Persie Says:

Dimi broke at beginning of 3 set…Sascha made some stupid unforced errors


Van Persie Says:

Thiem won the match, and it was not an easy one. He will next play the winner from Dimi-Sascha match. Guess it woll be Dimi


jalep Says:

danke, VP ☕
Damm Boyfriends!

Sascha has a sweet backhand, doesn’t he?

Dimi still just one break up.

Dimi makes an around his back shot but loses the point. Sascha gets the break back! 3-3. And holds 4-3 Sash. Dimi to serve.

Dominant Thiem is being interviewed. Such a nice guy…close match for him v Kovalik 76 76. His record in tie breaks is good. How good, I’d have to look up.

Kyrgios has withdrawn from doubles = illness.


Van Persie Says:

Jalep,

welcome back ;)

I have not tasted his Backhand, but I like what I see :)
He’s now back in business. Would be great to see him playing Thiem


Van Persie Says:

Congraaaats, Sascha :)
Well done


jalep Says:

Sascha serving ahead. 5-5. 15-0.
30-0. 40-0. holds to love. 6-5

hehe, VP…. his FH is sweet, too. And his serve, and pretty good all around. Apparently he’s not happy with the umpire but not sure why.

Dimi serving to get to a tb. 15-15. 15-30. Come on SASH. Dimi second serve. oh snap. lucky net cord makes it 15-40. Drama. 2 mp. Hit one long. 1 mp for Sash left. Second serve Dimi. UNLUCKY NET cord for Dimi. Sascha wins it.

German net cord! Wow. Big win … lucky, I’d say, in the end.


J-Kath Says:

Yep – Alexander won – guessed that one. Grigor not dependable in more ways than one.


Van Persie Says:

Jalep,

Will be offline. Cannot watch Nole and Simona, would be to late for me. Am working tomorrow…hate Mondays…
Have fun ;)


jalep Says:

Okay. Gute Nacht, Van Persie. danke.

Good guess, J-K. I’m more than happy to be wrong! Grigor is Kaput these days.

Grigor and Petra Kvitova are going the wrong way.

Kei’s looking rested. Wins 63 63.


J-Kath Says:

Sleep well Jalep

I’m off to bed in 15 minutes …Monday least welcome day of the week…but weather good. Was a bit surprised Kei did so well – thought he’d be a bit weary…

Cheers
K


Daniel Says:

Djoko had chances ti get one break back but now seems this set is done. If he break at 4-1 he still have a chance this setbit he needs to find his range for next two sets. Fratangelo is not doing nothing special, Djoko who is poor


chrisford1 Says:

Oh please Tennis X! Do Andy some justice on your stock photos. Novak gets to look all bad and tough in motorcycle club leathers (doesn’t ride, but that isn’t even the point!) And Fed gets to be a Lord in sunglasses on an aircraft, riding high above it all. Rafa gets a hot beaming smile as he grills salmon steaks.
And Andy sits alone, looking lost, in a bathtub!!
New stock photo time for Andy!!!


AndyMira Says:

Good body language and performance so far from rafa..hope this will continue to 2nd set..


AndyMira Says:

Yay!!rafa won..on to verdasco next..rafa need every luck on that match from physically and mentally point of view since verdasco got a walkover from klizan..


Dave Says:

AndyMira,

The good news is that Rafa is fighting really really hard. The bad news is that he is not playing well still. To be honest, I don’t know who played worse today, Rafa or Nole. The bad news for Rafa is that he can’t flick a switch and play lights out and Nole can and has when he has needed to do so. It’s painful to watch Rafa barely grinding out wins against Muller and no disrespect to Muller, but he made Muller look like a top 10 player tonight. Rafa’s serve is really hard to watch. That’s probably the most painful part apart from the forehands that drop 10 feet earlier than they are supposed to. AndyMira, I am finally admitting right now that Rafa is pretty much done at this point. It’s good to see him win a match, but I just don’t see what he can do without having his power back. He has lost literally 20% of the power he used to have. That is way to much to lose. You can’t win big tournaments when you lose that much power on all of your shots. Sorry for being the negative one tonight. I said after Indian Wells I would make my decision. Well I am making my decision about Rafa during Indian Wells. If his back is the problem and there is no way to fix it, than there is nothing he can do about this.


AndyMira Says:

Dave..you’re one of the posters here whom i respect so much based on your unbiased and very nice attitude..never talking bad about other player even though you root for novak..and i know and i understood what you’re saying just now..i really am..you still remember what we’re talking about before you went to Acapulco right?And i still stand for what i’ve been said then Dave..and i totally agree with you now..i just don’t want to get into it in detail right now because i have to respect other rafa fans feeling whom seem a little bit hurt if we talking too much about rafa..
Dave..i respect your opinion very much..it’s ok..i myself don’t expect too much from him now..


nits Says:

Nadal is struggling as every one can see. But how much fight is left in him physically as well as mentally only time will tell. Indian well is very important for him this year he must perform well otherwise it will be very difficult to recover.

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