Medvedev Rolls On At Indian Wells; Zverev Looks For First Win Over Murray Today

It was a mixed day for the top ranked Russians on Monday as Daniil Medvedev kept on his roll while Andrey Rublev was bounced by Tommy Paul.

The US Open champion Medvedev upped his win streak to nine coming from a 4-2 deficit in the tough night conditions at Indian Wells to defeat Filip Krajinovic 6-2, 7-6(1).

“Filip is a really tough opponent. He’s always playing top tennis, very tough matches, especially that second set. Lot of ups and downs, but I think a great level from both of us. Really happy that in the tie-break I managed to [gain] the edge on my side,” Medvedev said after his 50th win of 2021.

Rublev was the big upset of the day falling to Paul 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. It was the American’s second career Top 10 win and it put him into his first Masters fourth round. And he’ll have a good chance against Brit Cameron Norrie who ousted Roberto Bautista Agut in three.

In the windy conditions, Grigor Dimitrov continued his improved play chopping down Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4. Opelka’s fellow big man John Isner had to withdraw against Jannik Sinner to fly home for the birth of his wife’s third child.

Miami winner Hubert Hurkacz dumped Frances Tiafoe 6-3, 6-2. Aslan Karatsev sent off Denis Shapovalov 7-5, 6-2. The Russian was aided by 26 unforced errors from Shapovalov.

“The first thing you want to try to do is keep focusing because the weather conditions were tough for both of us,” Karatsev said. “The first set I tried to find my serve, especially on the second serve, it didn’t work. The main goal was to keep focused… It was super windy today.

“First time here in Indian Wells. It’s an amazing place. It’s nice to be here, to stay here, the atmosphere is really cool. The stadium is almost full, so it’s really nice to play.”

Clay kings Diego Schwartzman and Casper Ruud were also winners.

Today, Alexander Zverev will try to break an 0-2 mark against Andy Murray in the headline match.

“The conditions are not ideal for me I would say,” Zverev said Sunday looking ahead to Murray. “I’ve never done extremely well here. I’m going to try my best at the end of the day.

“Andy is playing great again. He’s won two great matches. I think today was very high level from him. I’m looking forward to playing him. I mean, he’s the only one out of the big four I haven’t beaten yet. I hope I can change that after tomorrow, then we’ll see how it goes.”

Said Murray, “Obviously the match that we played last year, not saying he was playing his best tennis at that stage, but he did make the final of the US Open a couple of weeks later. I wasn’t physically feeling particularly good and did not play particularly well, but managed to win. From that perspective, like, I can gain confidence from that, that if I play a really good match I’ll be right in there with a shot. He’ll certainly go in as the overwhelming favorite. But if I play a high-level match, I’ll be right in there.”

Tour win leader Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Fabio Fognini and Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini battles Taylor Fritz.

TUESDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 start 11:00 am
WTA – [19] J. Pegula (USA) vs [4] E. Svitolina (UKR)
WTA – S. Rogers (USA) vs [23] L. Fernandez (CAN)
ATP – [WC] A. Murray (GBR) vs [3] A. Zverev (GER)

Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA – [10] A. Kerber (GER) vs A. Tomljanovic (AUS)
ATP – [25] F. Fognini (ITA) vs [2] S. Tsitsipas (GRE)

STADIUM 2 start 11:00 am
ATP – [5] M. Berrettini (ITA) vs [31] T. Fritz (USA)
ATP – [24] K. Khachanov (RUS) vs [12] P. Carreno Busta (ESP)
Not Before 4:00 PM
WTA – [3] B. Krejcikova (CZE) vs [21] P. Badosa (ESP)
Not Before 6:00 pm
ATP – [14] G. Monfils (FRA) vs K. Anderson (RSA)
Not Before 8:00 PM
WTA – [12] O. Jabeur (TUN) vs [Q] A. Kalinskaya (RUS)

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