Murray Rallies For 700 At Indian Wells; Nadal v Korda, Medvedev No. 1 Debut Today

Andy Murray rallied from a break down in the third set to notch his 700th career match win yesterday at Indian Wells.

In a third meeting this year with Taro Daniel, the Japanese veteran again had Murray on the ropes leading 2-0 in the third before the former No. 1 fought back for a 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory and become the fourth player to reach 700.

“Reaching that number is a really, really good achievement. It’s not been easy,” Murray said. “Five and a half years to get the last hundred, so it’s taken awhile.

“I do look at that stuff now. Like I do look at the other players that are around me, around those numbers. Gives me some motivation and encouragement to try to get higher and win more matches.”

Next for Murray on Sunday will be the tricky Alexander Bublik who he just beat in Rotterdam last month.

“He’s a very unorthodox player. He’s unbelievably talented, got great hand skills and plays different to a lot of guys on the tour these days,” Murray said. “He started this year well, but if I play well, I’ve got a shot.”

Elsewhere, American men had another decent day going 4-1 with Sam Querrey, Tommy Paul, Brandon Nakashima and Steve Johnson advancing.

Veterans Richard Gasquet, David Goffin and Philipp Kohlschreiber all lost.

Today, seeds open play with a monster line-up from the top half including top seed Daniil Medvedev who will make his playing debut as a No. 1 against qualifier Tomas Mahac.

“I think it’s a lot of pressure, but at the same time a lot of motivation,” Medvedev said. “I’m going to try to do my best. It’s the same every tournament you play, try to gain as many points as possible.

“Here it’s 1,000 points. But of course the draw is very tough, a lot of strong players, so it’s not easy to make it.”

Rafael Nadal will try to keep his record perfect against American star Sebastian Korda.

“My serve has been working well, which is important at this stage in my career,” said Nadal. “Then I think I have been brave enough to play with the right determination when needed. I am just working hard to continue to improve, but I am happy with the level of tennis and intensity I am showing on court.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios and Denis Shapovalov are also on court.

SATURDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1 Starts At 11:00 Am
1 Daniil Medvedev v (Q) Tomas Machac
4 Rafael Nadal v Sebastian Korda
Not Before 3:00 PM
5 Paula Badosa v Tereza Martincova
Not Before 6:00 Pm
(WC) Jack Sock v 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Not Before 8:00 PM
Naomi Osaka v 21 Veronika Kudermetova

STADIUM 2 Starts At 11:00 Am
Jasmine Paolini v 2 Aryna Sabalenka
6 Maria Sakkari v Katerina Siniakova
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina v 13 Denis Shapovalov
Not Before 6:00 PM
18 Leylah Fernandez v Amanda Anisimova
32 Federico Delbonis v (WC) Nick Kyrgios

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