Americans Harrison, Opelka, Tiafoe Fall At Indian Wells; Nadal-Tomic Doubles, Fritz Friday
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It was a tough start for American men on the first day of the men’s action at Indian Wells. Four men were on court, just one advanced to the second round, that was wildcard Bjorn Fratangelo who hammered Bernard Tomic 6-2, 6-2.
Ryan Harrison had a strong start to the year but was dismissed by Damir Dzumhur 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. Harrison struggled early going down 4-0 in the first but righted the ship until late in the third.
Promising teens Frances Tiafoe and Reilly Opelka also fell, both to qualifiers. Tiafoe was beat-down by Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 6-3 while the towering Opelka ran out of gas against German Peter Gojowczyk 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
20-year-old Karen Khachanov made an impressive Indian Wells debut cruising past Spanish veteran Tommy Robredo 6-1, 7-5.
“It feel great. It’s my first time here in Indian Wells,” said Khachanov. “I’ve heard a lot about this tournament and I’m really happy that I could get through to the second round. Today I had to be ready from the first point, concentrate 100 per cent and play my game. That is the main focus in all the matches at the ATP World Tour level. I had to be there the whole match and fight to the end to get the win.”
Alexandr Dolgopolov, Vasek Pospisil and Jeremy Chardy were among the other winners from the top half.
The bottom half starts today highlighted by Taylor Fritz who battles Benoit Paire.
Rafael Nadal is in doubles play with Bernard Tomic. Andy Murray (w/Dan Evans) and Novak Djokovic (w/Victor Troicki) are on in doubles today.
FRIDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
WTA – [11] J. Konta (GBR) vs H. Watson (GBR)
ATP – B. Paire (FRA) vs [WC] T. Fritz (USA)
WTA – K. Flipkens (BEL) vs [7] G. Muguruza (ESP)
Not Before 7:00 pm
WTA – [3] Ka. Pliskova (CZE) vs M. Puig (PUR)
Not Before 8:30 pm
Salute to HEROES
Not Before 9:00 pm
ATP – R. Nadal (ESP) / B. Tomic (AUS) vs P. Carreno Busta (ESP) / J. Sousa (POR)
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