Former Finalist Isner Out At Indian Wells, Monfils Fall; Murray, Shelton-Fognini Today

The first Masters of 2023 got underway yesterday at Indian Wells with a pair of former Top 10s falling early.

Former finalist John Isner was bundled out by countryman Brandon Nakashima 7-6(9-7), 6-3. The 21-year-old Nakashima fending off 15 Isner aces breaking the big man twice in the win.

“You know you are going to get some opportunities out there,” Nakashima said to the ATP. “You know he is going to hit some big bombs once in a while. But you always go into it knowning you will have some opportunities. You just got to see them when they come and capitalize on them.”

Nakashima will now face the streaking Daniil Medvedev on Friday.

After a seven months off tour due to a foot injury, Gael Monfils’s return to tennis was spoiled by Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-3, 6-1.

The struggling Diego Schwartzman got a good win over compatriot Federico Coria in two sets 6-1, 6-2.

The Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka topped Arthur Rinderknech of France 7-6(7-4), 7-5. China’s Yibing Wu defeated Spain’s Jaume Munar in three sets 6-7(6-8), 6-0, 7-6(7-3) in a controversial finish.

Emil Ruusuvuori, Marcos Giron, Taro Daniel, Roberto Carballes Baena and Cristian Garin while former finalist Nikolaz Basilashvili and Alexander Bublik lost.

On Thursday, the first round wraps up with play from Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka plus Ben Shelton takesn on Fabio Fognini and Brandon Holt collides with Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Former champion Dominic Thiem takes on Adrian Mannarino.

THURSDAY INDIAN WELLS SCHEDULE
STADIUM 1
Matches Start At: 11:00 am
WTA [LL] Dalma Galfi (HUN) vs Danielle Collins (USA)
WTA Danka Kovinic (MNE) vs Emma Raducanu (GBR)
ATP Tomas Martin ETCHEVERRY (ARG) vs Andy MURRAY (GBR)
Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA Sloane Stephens (USA) vs [WC] Sofia Kenin (USA)
ATP Gregoire BARRERE (FRA) vs [WC] Jack SOCK (USA)

STADIUM 2
Matches Start At: 11:00 am
[PR] Stan WAWRINKA (SUI) vs [Q] Aleksandar VUKIC (AUS)
ATP Ben SHELTON (USA) vs Fabio FOGNINI (ITA)
WTA Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) vs Karolina Muchova (CZE)
Not Before 6:00 pm
ATP [WC] Dominic THIEM (AUT) vs Adrian MANNARINO (FRA)
WTA [WC] Emma Navarro (USA) vs [WC] Caty McNally (USA)

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