Federer Stopped By Rain At Indian Wells, Dimitrov Upset; Djokovic Returns Sunday

by Staff | March 11th, 2018, 10:19 am
  • 29 Comments

About the only thing that can stop Roger Federer these days is Mother Nature. After a brief rain delay to the start of his opening match last night against Federico Delbonis, the Swiss avoided some early bumps before rolling out to a 6-3, 2-2 lead. And then the rains returned canceling the night at about 10:30pm local time.

Federer and the Argentine will resume this afternoon.

Before the rains, Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco scored the upset of the day sending home Grigor Dimitrov 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3.


“I always love this sport. I always love to play,” said Verdasco. “Being able to go out to the court and know that you are ready to fight these guys, no? Now I’m 34 and I have to fight against players 21, 22, 23 that are much younger. They have much less miles or kilometers in his legs. And I just have to work really hard and keep that motivation high to be able to win matches.”

Dimitrov has now lost his last three matches. He has never made even the fourth round at Indian Wells.

The 34-year-old Verdasco moves on the face American Taylor Fritz who earned a great win beating junior foe Andrey Rublev.

“I got to play with a lot of emotions and heart just because the crowd was pumping me up so much,” said Fritz. “They were cheering so heavily in my favor, and it really got me excited, pumped up. And not to mention as well I’ve played so many tournaments as a kid here. I’m just so used to the courts. I just feel comfortable. You kind of just feel that sense of comfort and confidence at certain places.”

In a good battle of one-handed backhands, Dominic Thiem denied Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. Big men Kevin Anderson, Tomas Berdych and Daniil Medvedev were also winners along with Pablo Cuevas who beat Denis Shapovalov and Hyeon Chung came from a set down to beat Dusan Lajovic.

On tap Sunday, 5-time champion Novak Djokovic returns from an elbow injury to meet Taro Daniel. John Isner gets Gael Monfils and Juan Martin del Potro battles the young Australian Alex De Minaur.

Kei Nishikori is also in action and in an intriguing Canadian clash, Milos Raonic meets 17-year-old Felix Auger Alissiame.

SUNDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 Starts At 11:00 Am
3rd Rd -9 Petra Kvitova VS (WC) Amanda Anisimova
Followed By
2nd Rd (Q) Taro Daniel VS -10 Novak Djokovic
Followed By
2nd Rd -1 Roger Federer VS Federico Delbonis 6/3 2/2
Followed By
3rd Rd -1 Simona Halep VS (WC) Caroline Dolehide
Followed By
2nd Rd -8 Jack Sock VS Thomas Fabbiano
Not Before 7:00 Pm
2nd Rd -6 Juan Martin del Potro VS (WC) Alex de Minaur
Not Before 8:30 Pm
3rd Rd (Q) Sachia Vickery VS Naomi Osaka

STADIUM 2 Starts At 11:00 Am
2nd Rd -15 John Isner VS Gael Monfils
Not Before 12:30 Pm
2nd Rd -13 Sloane Stephens VS (WC) Victoria Azarenka
Followed By
2nd Rd Ekaterina Makarova VS -10 Angelique Kerber 6/3 0/0
Followed By
2nd Rd Marton Fucsovics VS -2 Marin Cilic
Followed By
3rd Rd -17 CoCo Vandeweghe VS Maria Sakkari
Followed By
2nd Rd Joao Sousa VS -4 Alexander Zverev


You Might Like:
Serena Williams Stopped by Victoria Azarenka in Indian Wells Finale
Badosa Slams Gauff, Pliskova Upset At Indian Wells; Full 4R Today
Serena Williams And Victoria Azarenka Will Resume Rivalry For Indian Wells Title Sunday
Murray and Top Seeds Cruise; 6 Lower Seeds Lose at Indian Wells; Djokovic, Nadal Sunday
Poll: Djokovic, Federer, Murray Or Nadal, Who’ll Win Indian Wells?

Don't miss any tennis action, stay connected with Tennis-X

Get the FREE TX daily newsletter

29 Comments for Federer Stopped By Rain At Indian Wells, Dimitrov Upset; Djokovic Returns Sunday

j-kath Says:

Rmours afoot that Lendl will be returning to coaching – shows pictures of Andy Murray, but stops short of saying that he will be working with Andy.

Who else could it be? Berdych?


Daniel Says:

Loved Djoko’s relief face looking up when he enter court. Clearly showing he is glad to be back competing.


Margot Says:

Good to see Nole back! Now C’mon Andy!


Willow Says:

Great to have him back, but he aint the only player missing theres also Andy, Stan now Rafa, anybody would think he was the only one ….


Daniel Says:

He started so well and could have won the first set easier. Had 30-30 several occasion and 0-30 on Taro’s serve when 5-2 up. Got broken serving for the set and payed a bad tiebreak and now 1 set down. Will have to do it the hard win and win in 3.

But credit to Daniel, who didn’t make any UE in last games and is defending quite well, making Djoko hit another shot.


j-kath Says:

Margot: Did U see the Lendl “tease” article to which I referred above? If not, I’ll copy and post – see what U think……etc.


Willow Says:

Rusty definitely rusty, im sure he will play himself into form, this will be a good test for Novak ….


Margot Says:

Didn’t see it Kath but I can’t see Andy going anywhere Lendl and I presume Lendl would want to coach nearer home?


Humble Rafa Says:

I would think it goes against Japanese culture to name your kid Daniel. It’s like an American family naming their kid Hoang.


Willow Says:

Humble Rafa look at your monikor and mine come to think of it ;-)


Daniel Says:

Djoko robbed this game, Daniel made a double flaunt down 0-15 in front of umpire and Djoko didn’t challenge. Should have broken to love as he was 15-40 up.


Daniel Says:

Too bad, at least he seems pain free. Now onto Miami for him.
Point of concern was the he as letting go a few rallies in third set, as if getting tired and 60 UE in 3 sets is too much, rusty.


Willow Says:

For someone who hasnt played much tennis lately he looked rather fatigued, unusual to see given he was the fittest player on tour not too long ago, wonder if its just an age thing ?


Markus Says:

I was wondering if Djokovic was feeling pain somewhere. He is very mentally tough and I can’t imagine him playing so lackadaisically if there is no pain to hinder his movements. Daniel wasn’t even a tough opponent.


skeezer Says:

Taro, a new Djoker owner.
#109


Humble Rafa Says:

No need to win a tennis match. Pepe gave the path to peace. That’s all life is about.


Willow Says:

Humble Rafa now that was funny lol ….


Daniel Says:

Fed through in a tense breaker. He lost last 2 he faced against Delbonis in Hamburg in 2013 and I thought he would lose another. Not this time.

Djoko not lucky with asana players this season.


AndyMira Says:

That’s alright to lose in the 1st match Nole!…There’s plenty of time to work on everything in the coming months…Good luck Nole!…

And now,can’t wait for Andy to return too!…And of cozzz….Rrrrafa!!..and yeah…Stan too…


vidzy Says:

@ Humble Rafa hahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahahaha…


Giles Says:

Skeezer. Gloating is your middle name. Remember KARMA.


Margot Says:

It doesn’t matter that Nole lost the match, only to be expected after months off, what matters is how he feels physically today. Hope he’s OK.
Cheers, Kath.


j-kath Says:

Andy saying he will return either 28 April (Glasgow) or May 19 (Loughborough) on one or both new ATP UK Challenger events….at least he’ll see how he feels – maybe Nole should join him …..may be the right level to re-enter the main swing.

Cheers back, Margot – well done to Wales yesterday.


Van Persie Says:

Was very worried to see Nole so soon after surgery on court, was glad at the same time , as tennis is not the same for me, when he’s not competing…
Did not have great expectations, but boy, did he look tired in the 3rd…he will need time to be “really back”, should this happen.
Good luck, Nole!


Van Persie Says:

^^ Nole reminded me a bit of the fat version of Puss in boots; excepting Nole was not fat


Daniel Says:

He should have won this match. First set he was by far the better player and serving for the set, his infamous not killing the point smash, cause him trouble. It was a long unnecessary set that cost him in the end. Also begginignof third set Taro made a DF which was called in, that would be broke to Novak from the get go and could have change the dynamics of that set as he was very frustrated and angry after that game.


Van Persie Says:

yeah, he should have won, but did not. also made many unexplainable errors. was curios to know, if he really played pain free, as I did not see a sign of it and he did not mention it to the press. That would be the positive.


Humble Rafa Says:

Once you have surgery, you need to start taking magic potions according to Swiss surgery experts who performed his surgery. No potion=tired easily. Ofcourse, they only give potions to Swiss citizens.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam