Federer v Coric, Del Potro v Raonic In SFs at Indian Wells Sat.

by Staff | March 16th, 2018, 10:09 pm
  • 100 Comments

The final four is set at the first Masters event of the season at Indian Wells. Thursday saw 5-time champion Roger Federer advance along with 21-year-old Borna Coric who is playing in his first Masters semifinal.

Today, Milos Raonic and Juan Martin del Potro both won their quarterfinal matches, both in three sets.

Raonic was locked up with California native Sam Querrey. After two very shaky sets, including a first which saw Querrey fail to serve it out at 5-4, Raonic grabbed a late break in the third then held off Querrey to serve it out and return to his third Indian Wells semifinal. The 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 victory sent the Canadian into his first Masters SF since 2016 Paris.


“I just have a personal calm at this event maybe compared to others. It’s a little bit quieter here. It’s easier to be around the tennis. You don’t have to fight through traffic to get here. You get here with ease. So I think that gives me a personal calm,” Raonic said.

“I think the conditions help. Obviously this year it’s quite a bit slower than it has been in the past, but the ball still moves through the air even though the court slows it down a bit. But it’s always bounced high. So I think there have been a lot of things that have contributed to me feeling comfortable here.”

Querrey needed this win to not only reach his first Masters semifinal but also the Top 10!

Del Potro followed and solved the drop-shot riddle of Philipp Kohlschreiber with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win, his seventh in nine tries against the German.

“It wasn’t an easy match as everybody saw. But I was waiting for my chance to find the way of the game, and I did after the first set. And then my games improved a little bit, and I found the way on my returns,” del Potro said.

“I played more aggressive with my two-handed backhands, and I played more down the line. I think that was the big key, the big change of the match.”

Del Potro, though, is down 2-1 in his head-to-head with Raonic, failing to the Canadian a year ago in the Delray Beach semifinals.

“I know Milos is another guy who can win the tournament. Roger and Coric are playing so good. So everything can happen. But I’m looking forward to winning my first [Masters] here,” del Potro said.

Both Raonic and del Potro are former Indian Wells finalists, but neither has won a Masters before. Del Potro has won his last nine matches.

In the early semifinal, Federer tries to set a personal-best start to of 17-0 as he faces the surprising unseeded Coric. Federer blew out then-teen Coric in Dubai in 2015 in their only meeting. The Swiss has won his last nine matches at Indian Wells.


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100 Comments for Federer v Coric, Del Potro v Raonic In SFs at Indian Wells Sat.

Tennis Vagabond Says:

I’ve been negative about the state of men’s tennis this year, but these are great semis.


Humble Rafa Says:

It will get better in the clay court season.


Daniel Says:

Agree TV, one old legend on top of his game, one young trying to prove, another coming back from injury and a former potential great climbing his way up.

Great line up.


Willow Says:

Federer v Delpo final, Federer wins the title in two possibly three tight sets ….


AndyMira Says:

JK…Thanks for the article…Now we know why Rafa lost his hair!…


Margot Says:

Dunno what Rafa takes, but long term pain killers are very bad for your body. And pain is there usually, for a very good reason. Please NB “usually” I’m not talking about chronic pain causing illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis.


Daniel Says:

I have constant epicondylitis (classic tennis elbow) and sometimes can lift any weight. Every now and than have to take anti inflammatories, which is bad for kidney and stomach.

Nadal knows he has just a few years left, so he will keep pushing, but he better not compromise his body this much, otherwise he will be a 35 yrl with chronic issues.


Daniel Says:

Giles, this Jane in the twitter link is the same one that use to posted here? Now I know why she left, she became a Federer hater in basically everything posts regarding tennis you link here.

No wonder she wouldn’t come here and pretend anymore. In this sense at least she got some sort of integrity. But I am kind of shocked. #truecolors.


Giles Says:

Daniel. Yes it’s the same Jane. Lol


Margot Says:

Daniel I’m friendly with a woman who used to be on the England football team. Her knees and ankles were so shot she used to take 30 minutes to get up in the morning. Still went on playing as long as she could. She now plays a mean game of table tennis. I guess if you are very competitive any sport will do. I too am very competitive…..at chess ;)


Daniel Says:

Margot, I am super competitive also, Monica Geller type;-)

Love chess also, my father even have a book with some tactics, openings and manouvers. But long time don’t play.
And I have a weak for gambling too, imagining trying to beat the house…ultimate competition Lol.


j-kath Says:

Daniel: Jane returned briefly during Nole’s first “trial” return from injury – can’t remember exactly when…..


chofer Says:

I can’t believe you’re talking about THAT Jane. I used to post here when she was around. Such a nice Lady… well, then, apparently (?)


Willow Says:

Daniel if Wogboy were here imagine the acid bath after that post ….


AndyMira Says:

I seriously think it’s not nice talking bad things about someone who’s not here anymore…I remember Jane as a very kind & nice lady & poster’s here..and i honestly want to keep remember her just like that…Nobody’s perfect guys…Us too…


j-kath Says:

AM: Jane may return once Nole has fully recovered……and I think Wogboy will also and it was good to see the return of Van Persie.

So where’s Margot? Let me guess? Watching Wales vs France – I’m rather lucky – my TV printed guide informs me that this match will not be available to Scottish viewers….and would U believe, I’m watching it.


Daniel Says:

You are right AndyMira, my bad!
I was just kind of shocked with her post ref tennis in her Twitter account.


AndyMira Says:

JK!…Yeah..it is good if Jane & other poster’s will make a come back soon…I miss Danica too..But dreaded the return of TB!…Urgh!Scary!!Hahaha…
Oh!Enjoy your rugby JK!

Daniel!…See?I told u a while ago,that you’re not only very knowledgeable & smart poster’s here..but you’re also one of a very nice & kind poster’s that we’ve got here Daniel..Don’t go to the other sides..You’re already lovely with your personality as it is…
Bout Jane…I understand Daniel..But,gossiping in private & in public r 2 different things..we tend to humiliating & embarrassing her if we do that in public..and i don’t think we have a right to that to her even if that twitter is truly belongs to her…And thank u for not bashing me for my earlier post Daniel!!Haha…


Daniel Says:

Yeah Andy Mira, but the thing with internet is that written word have power. Once you posted, it’s not “yours” anymore, is there for everybody, specially social media. Everything you posted, opinions can later backfire. Public persons suffers this the most.


AndyMira Says:

I know Daniel…But,it has to stop somewhere..and why don’t we nice people take that as our responsibility to change things for the better hmm?It’s in our hands Daniel..and our choice..


Daniel Says:

4-4 with neither going to deuce in the other serve. Coric with more UE but pretty solid.


Daniel Says:

Coric breaks first and will serve for first set. Fed starting making a lot of UE in last 3 games.


Van Persie Says:

Thank you, JK, appreciate it :)


Daniel Says:

Wow, Coric in the zone now, hitting deep constantly and Fed eventually dropping a short ball. Won first set and broke to open second set. After 5-5 is all Coric.


j-kath Says:

AM: TB’s challenging comments usually apply to OTP comments – then he gets vocal…otherwise he’s really fair…

Wow – Coric took first set vs. Roger…gonna be interesting..


Daniel Says:

0-40, triple BP for Fed to break and get back in the match. Crucial game for the match.


Van Persie Says:

Borna, You’re unbeliaveble today. Please win this!


Daniel Says:

Coric kind of lucky in a few shots, but he is going for the lines. Saved 3 BP’s


AndyMira Says:

JK…I respect your opinion about TB very much and thank u for that and out of respect to him,we will stop talking about him behind his back now okay?

And yeah!…Coric is on fire!


skeezer Says:

VP,
Coric will win this.
Fed started out with some unusual errors, and not much energy. Coric came ready to play and his confidence grew theough the match. He turned into a wall, especially the BH. Great win for him.


Van Persie Says:

If Coric and DelPo are winning today, Im in trouble. I like both :D..but still soon to think about that


Daniel Says:

This is one of those days that everything clicks, in this case to Coric.


Van Persie Says:

Good good, BP saved. Fed could not break him yet


Van Persie Says:

Pressure now, let’s see how he handles this


Daniel Says:

Third straight Coric game the Fed has BP. C’mon and break him Fed


Daniel Says:

Yeah, finally.


Van Persie Says:

Now Coric’ level dropped. Fed has the opportunity. 3 set most likely


jatin Says:

Its game on.
Being down and out. Fed finds a way by slicing and dicing coric.
Its the first time I feel slightly relaxed watching this match.
Coric has been playing insane tennis all match. Literally pounded Fed’s BH.
Hope Fed continues this momentum shift.
Go Fed Go


Daniel Says:

Eventually he would break, too much pressure on Coric and he felt it at the end of set.

Let’s see if Fed gets the momentum. But last 2 matches Coric came from a Break down in final set to win, so he is tough this week.


Van Persie Says:

Good, break. Hold it, Borna.


jatin Says:

What a point Fed.
Its 1-1.


jatin Says:

Fed looking so tired down there, grunting and all. But still managing to go toe to toe with coric who is pounding his backhand like nothing.
Its been a one hell of match from Coric.


Van Persie Says:

Have not watched Coric this week , but boy, he plays better then his usual today, frlmwhat I can recall.


jatin Says:

Van pierse
His game has been very suffocating for fed today.


Van Persie Says:

Out now, go to a BD party. Come on Borna whin this you can do it, and come on DelPo!


Willow Says:

Coric is nobodies whipping boy, he has wins against both Rafa and Andy ….


Willow Says:

Jatin Coric seems to be really relishing the challenge ….


jatin Says:

Fed has to hold here.


jatin Says:

Yes Willow
Coric breaks.

Fed has got 2 chances to break him now if he holds again.
Comon on fed


Daniel Says:

DF that can cost Coric the match. Fed broke back, 4-4. Now Fed needs a clean easy hold to send the message and see how Coric deal with pressure serving down 4-5


jatin Says:

COMONNNM FED…
GO
4-4
BREAKA


Willow Says:

No idea which way this will go ….


chofer Says:

I know the crowd would be with Coric, bur c’mon. This is very direspectful with Coric. Tou just can’t cheer a doble fault.


Willow Says:

Loving the beard on Federer ….


chofer Says:

With Roger, Imeant.


jatin Says:

That was some drop shot by fed.
5-4.


chofer Says:

Id Coric loses this, he’ll have nightmares.


Daniel Says:

Wow, amazing, after 2 hours and he wins a point like this.


Daniel Says:

2 points away. Moment of the truth for Coric.


chofer Says:

No gen-x winning today. Still green. All of them.


Daniel Says:

Triple MP. Can’t see Coric surviving now. Fed pushed to the back of the courts and even so finding a way.


skeezer Says:

VP,
Update: Coric will not win this match ;)


Daniel Says:

Great win today, what a fighter. Log time I haven’t seen a player keep him the back of the court, he could hardly volley all match. Amazing! Fed know he escape it. Won on experience.

Hope Coric gets better and better.


chofer Says:

Roger winning when he’s no playing that well. Kudos to Coric for being so agressive. Next time, know how to close out a match.

Whoever plays in the final, we’ll have the crowd on his back.


Giles Says:

They’re all chokers. Pfffffffffffffft.


jatin Says:

Today Fed showed the grit, the determination and the mental strength to prevail against the Red hot Coric. I have rarely seen someone producing such depth and pace in his backhand shots for 2 hours straight.
And fed was forced to produce a different game today. One with lots of slices, defensive points and patience to keep giving coric different ball with varied pace.
Its 17 in a row for Fed. He beat his best record. Congratulations fellow fed fans.
Hoping to see Delpo in the final. :)


chofer Says:

Raonic should lose this match just because I can’t see that hideous t-shirt again!


Giles Says:

^^ Lol


Van Persie Says:

Haha, thank yiu Skeezer.

No worries Borna, I get you. Good match today. Hard to be GOAT Djokovic, to beat opponent and crowd at the aame time :(


El_Flaco Says:

I wonder when was the last time Fed played an 11am match.


the_mind_reels Says:

At Indian Wells this weekend and just finished watching Federer v Coric. Very high level of play from Borna, but Federer rode out the storm like he has done time and again in his career. Great stuff from the defending champ!


chofer Says:

Delpo should win tomorrow’s match against Roger beacuse… eh.. uh… reasons.


the_mind_reels Says:

Del Potro returned phenomenally well today against Raonic and made him look decidedly average. JMDP rounding into form very nicely at this tournament. Should be a great final tomorrow!


skeezer Says:

Didn’t expect Roanic to win this match. He was not moving well at all vs Querry, and frankly Querry should have beaten him but coughed too many times. So Delpo’s result is not surprising. I too expect Delpo to come on top tomorrow. He has the groupies to run Fed around, and after todays match with Coric me thinks Fed is going to come out gassed. Only chance he has is to serve well.

Gotta say Fed pulled some major heroics to win this match today. There is a reason he is the GOAT, and once again he proved it today.


skeezer Says:

groupies? lol …groundies.


skeezer Says:

@tmr,
Awesome you got to see these matches! Thanks for the report.


skeezer Says:

@tmr,
Awesome you got to see these matches! Thanks for the report.


skeezer Says:

@El_Flaco

Your answer(11am matches) is in the above link….


Markus Says:

I hope Federer still has adrenaline left for tomorrow.


chofer Says:

11 am was one trouble. Wirwinds is the other. Let’s see how it plays out tomorrow. If the wind is as heavy as today, both player could face problems, as hit mostly flat and their slices, drop shots AND serves could turn too short, long or wide. Have you try toss it with that wind?

Indian Wellas is a crappy site to play tennis since… forever.
Spectacular resort, though.

Also, IW have, by far, the most blinded linemen of the circuit. This Master should allow… like 15 Hawkeyes per set for each player. No kidding.


chofer Says:

Goran Ivanisevic once famously said he didn’t like playing there. He went “I think people are very old, there. Like 90 years old. Sombody’s going to die!” Only Goran.


the_mind_reels Says:

@chofer: I passed Goran in the stadium tunnel this afternoon, and he was making a beeline for the exit after his boy got dumped badly in the second match today. Needless to say, he looked ready to get out of IW.

Federer did look quite lethargic this morning, so I’m hoping the later start time tomorrow helps him a bit.


Daniel Says:

The two in form players right now just short of last 2 ATP 500, Rotterdam and Acapulco, play in first Masters final, fitting.

DelPo will rise to #6 on Monday and during clay season he should rise to top 5, maybe top 4.

Happy with whoever wins tomorrow: Fed to make history once again with a 6th IW title and DelPo winning his first and a big title after his injuries torments.

Tennis wins tomorrow regardless of outcome.


chofer Says:

Well said, Daniel!

I would have whipped myself with a wet yellow-striped fluo t-shirt if Raonic played. And then, attack the frigerator!

the_mind_reels

Sure! Goran can die now, there:))
But I want Delpo to win! You, greedy Fedfans!


skeezer Says:

Daniel,
You think he’ll play Miami? Last 2 matches were very physical…


chofer Says:

Just watching some gen-xers on you tube, I caught up with this Alex de Miniature. He’s good. Skinny. Reminds me of Rusty.


chofer Says:

It’s funny the WTA. They are acclaiming Kasatkina’s craftiness, hands (she’s really good!) et al, like if Agkiezka Radwanska was yesterday’s news. When you are hungry for a discernible champion, means you’re in trouble.


chofer Says:

Not many peeple knows this, but Delpo hates heat and morning to noon matches. Hence his atrocios Oz record. For Federer, I believe, playing tomorrow at 1pm will feel like a night match. For Delpo, every match NOT played after 5pm finds him half asleep. Advantage Roger.

He likes indoors best for these reasons. And night matches at the US open. He’s the opposite of Nadal, who relishes open air, sun and heat (but dry) conditions. He’s a Spaniard, for crying out loud. Delpo’s a vampire from Vampiria.


chofer Says:

He turned around the match with Roger at the US Open 2009 when dark fell. Remember that.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Daniel, too true. After 8 years, it’s so satisfying to see Del Potro getting to the ranking his play deserves.

Hoping for Rog tomorrow, but I’ll be happy to see Del Potro win a Masters if that comes about.

Especially hoping neither pulls out of Miami.


Daniel Says:

Ref Mimai, think so skeeze!

His first match in Miami is only next Saturday or Sunday. So he will have at least 5 full days with no play. Than day rest in first 3 rounds.

Let’s see how tomorrow unfolds, but neither Fed nor DelPo would want too play many long rallies. DelPo seemed toast, in patches, in previous 2 three setters he played. I think both will dictated more, unless is too windy.

Today the overall feeling I got with Fed is that he was playing safe, but mostly was due to Coric deep attack to his BH. Was one of the most defensive required matches I saw Fed play in quite some time.


Humble Rafa Says:

It’s good fishing, spending time with Xisca. I am having good fun and I wouldn’t be anywhere else.


Daniel Says:

I think both will play Miami. Hope so, fingers cross.


Margot Says:

VP: completely agree with you about Coric, never seen him play quite so well either.He must be really kicking himself, if it wasn’t for his forehand UEs he could’ve won. Very attractive player to watch too, no ball basher he.
chofer: I guessed as much about JMDP and the heat, he’s been really struggling at times, but I’ve also noticed the slow starts and how he’s got better as the matches have progressed.
Lol skeeze you and your “groupies”…..Imagine…:0!
A.M.: you really are a sweetheart. I think you should get a job at the UN! And good for Daniel too, many posters would’ve gone off on one after your comments.
Lordy, lordy, is peace braking out on tennisx? Won’t last long, I’m sure….;)


Van Persie Says:

Margot,

If you mean the above, I saw it. yeah, a shame he could not hold his nerve and made those errors, when it mattered the most…
I liked his foot work very much yesterday.


Margot Says:

Cheers VP. I was very impressed with his ROS too.


Van Persie Says:

Cheers back,

Me too, mentioned his ROS on the other thread, where Chofer said, the wind was helpful.

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