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Because of late evening showers at Indian Wells, Novak Djokovic was only able to play one against Philipp Kohlschreiber, so the Serb will be forced to finish today as part of a very star-heavy line which also includes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic’s match was the only third round of the top half to not finish. His (or Kohlschreiber’s) opponent awaits tomorrow, and that’s Gael Monfils who cruised to a 6-0, 6-3 win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
The big news on the day was the elimination of No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev who fell to countryman Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-1.
Zverev was ill in his win over Martin Klizan in the last round, and today he didn’t feel any better.
“It’s about getting healthy and about recovering and preparing myself for Miami,” said Zverev referring to the virus he has. “Miami is the tournament I do well in, history-wise.”
“It’s about getting healthy and about recovering and preparing myself for Miami,” said Zverev, the 2018 Miami finalist (l. to Isner). “Miami is the tournament I do well in [compared to Indian Wells], history-wise.”
Milos Raonic will next face Struff. The Canadian overcame a 4-1 deficit in the third to former NCAA champion Marcus Giron before winning the last five games to score the win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Elsewhere, 40-year-old Ivo Karlovic took down Indian No. 1 Prajnesh Gunneswaren 6-3, 7-6(3). He’ll meet Dominic Thiem on Tuesday after the Austrian ran past Gilles Simon 6-3, 6-1.
It was a mixed day for teens. Canadian 18-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime came from a break down in the third but just fell short against Yoshihito Nishioka 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-6(5) in the best match of the day.
The 23-year-old Japanese led 5-1 in the third and held three match points, and in the breaker also led 5-3 but somehow hung on despite blowing those leads.
“It’s very tough to play in that situation,” Nishioka said. “Feeling very mad when he came back because I had a chance to win already, three match points. But he saved them with really good shots.
“I just tried my best and I found a way, finally.”
Despite the loss, it was another breakthrough for Auger-Aliassime who blew out Stefanos Tsitsipas earlier in the event.
“He just started playing high on my backhand. I wasn’t hitting as many forehands. I was struggling to dictate the points, struggling to move, the serve, as well. From there, it was tough,” Auger-Aliassime said. “It was tough to believe, because I wasn’t playing good at all. He was really dominating. Okay, I’m down match points. I’m like, ‘Okay, I’m going to try to win this one.’
“I eventually broke back 5-2, and then I saw a little bit of an opening… I was only one break down after that. I thought I might have a chance, maybe he’s going to get tight serving for the match. I gave myself a chance. I can be happy with myself for that.”
Nineteen-year-old lucky loser Miomir Kecmanovic continued his best Masters run upended Laslo Djere 6-2, 7-6(3). The Serb will now face Nishioka Tuesday for a spot in the quarters.
On Tuesday, Federer will collide with good friend and countryman Stan Wawrinka for a 25th time. Federer leads 21-3 but
“It’s going to be tough match, for sure,” Wawrinka said. “He’s the best player to ever play the sport. Stats against each other are really, really not in my favor. Yeah, I think it’s great for me.”
Nadal will try to preview Diego Schwartzman from obtaining his first ever Top 5 win (0-13). He leads the Argentine 6-0.
And Kei Nishikori will try to avenge a Dubai loss to Hubert Hurkacz. John Isner, Daniil Medvedev are also on court, and Denis Shapovalov meets Marin Cilic in a good one.
TUESDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 11:00 Am
Followed By
3rd Rd 25 Diego Schwartzman v 2 Rafael Nadal
Followed By
3rd Rd 1 Novak Djokovic v Philipp Kohlschreiber 10 to finish
Followed By
4th Rd Venus Williams v Mona Barthel
Not Before 6:00 Pm
3rd Rd Stan Wawrinka v 4 Roger Federer
Not Before 8:00 Pm
4th Rd 9 Aryna Sabalenka v 8 Angelique Kerber
STADIUM 2 11:00 Am
3rd Rd 6 Kei Nishikori v Hubert Hurkacz
Followed By
4th Rd Marketa Vondrousova v 2 Simona Halep
Followed By
2nd Rd Dominic Inglot-Franko Skugor v 4 Bob Bryan-Mike Bryan
Followed By
3rd Rd (Q) Radu Albot v 22 Kyle Edmund
Not Before 6:00 Pm
4th Rd 1 Naomi Osaka v 23 Belinda Bencic
Not Before 8:00 Pm
2nd Rd 3 Oliver Marach-Mate Pavic v (WC) Mackenzie McDonald-Reilly Opelka
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