ATP/WTA Masters 1000 Indian Wells
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- #2
Still my favourite MS event with the location, the buzz, and although no Djokovic and Nadal for different reasons, it’s the first tournament since the AO where everyone competes. It’s definitely a wide open field on the men’s side and I think we could see a 2021 style final as you could honestly make an argument for a dozen guys, if not more.
Taylor Fritz is the defending champion but doesn’t have an easy draw with de Minaur a possible 4R match who’s coming off the biggest title of his career. In the section below, Sinner and Rune are likely to meet in the 4R. Two slam winners in Wawrinka and Thiem floating amongst them, but hard to see either winning more than a round.
I like the draw of Auger-Aliasimme but I don’t like his form. He looks off the pace this year and even with a draw that he should capitalise on, hard to see him doing any real damage. Alcaraz the top seed could face Kokkinakis in the second round and Andy Murray is looming. I guess the question for Carlos is how fit is he after seemingly cooking himself in Rio.
Medvedev’s the in-form player in the draw having won three consecutive titles amidst a 14 game winning streak, however has never gone beyond the 4R here. If he reaches that stage he could face Zverev and that’s a battle I want to see. Zverev’s form is on the improve and would love to see him win here. Ruud is the high seed in this section but his form doesn’t inspire confidence. Tsitsipas has only played once since the AO, in Rotterdam, where he was dismal in losing to Sinner. Rublev in this section too, who could face Lehecka in the second round.
Quality match-ups everywhere, very hard to predict a winner. Despite his poor track record at Indian Wells it’s hard to go past Medvedev, although I really like what Sinner is doing this year. In fact if he wasn’t physically spent from back to back finals, I think he would’ve beat Medvedev in Rotterdam. So I’ll go with Jannik to win his first MS.
Taylor Fritz is the defending champion but doesn’t have an easy draw with de Minaur a possible 4R match who’s coming off the biggest title of his career. In the section below, Sinner and Rune are likely to meet in the 4R. Two slam winners in Wawrinka and Thiem floating amongst them, but hard to see either winning more than a round.
I like the draw of Auger-Aliasimme but I don’t like his form. He looks off the pace this year and even with a draw that he should capitalise on, hard to see him doing any real damage. Alcaraz the top seed could face Kokkinakis in the second round and Andy Murray is looming. I guess the question for Carlos is how fit is he after seemingly cooking himself in Rio.
Medvedev’s the in-form player in the draw having won three consecutive titles amidst a 14 game winning streak, however has never gone beyond the 4R here. If he reaches that stage he could face Zverev and that’s a battle I want to see. Zverev’s form is on the improve and would love to see him win here. Ruud is the high seed in this section but his form doesn’t inspire confidence. Tsitsipas has only played once since the AO, in Rotterdam, where he was dismal in losing to Sinner. Rublev in this section too, who could face Lehecka in the second round.
Quality match-ups everywhere, very hard to predict a winner. Despite his poor track record at Indian Wells it’s hard to go past Medvedev, although I really like what Sinner is doing this year. In fact if he wasn’t physically spent from back to back finals, I think he would’ve beat Medvedev in Rotterdam. So I’ll go with Jannik to win his first MS.
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- #3
Iga Swiatek is the defending champion and the overwhelming favourite to defend her title. She could face 2019 champion Andreescu in the third round who has somehow moved into a seeded position. The tour is lucky to have someone as stable as Swiatek otherwise you could make a case for half the field as potential winners. So many high seeds in the top half with major question marks. 4th seed Jabeur has injury concerns and has barely played this year, 5th seed Garcia can’t get over the line in 250 events and 8th seed Kasatkina is fortunate to have a really soft draw otherwise she’d likely be out almost immediately. I’ll take Rybakina from the bottom section of the top half, and in doing so hopefully setting up another clash with Swiatek.
In the bottom half, AO champion Sabalenka doesn’t have a very kind draw if things go as planned (this is the WTA though…). On paper it’s the in-form Donna Vekic 3R, Dubai champion Krejcikova 4R, and Bencic QF. If things go as expected, that’s tough, and I’m not sure Sabs has it in her here, but she is a slam champion! Bencic could face Kostyuk yet again in the 3R, not easy, especially given the Ukrainian is fresh off her first career title in Austin.
Linda Noskova had a much deserved and much needed rest and faces veteran Begu first up, and should she win, Anisimova second. These are both winnable and then it’s likely Gauff. Don’t want to expect too much but should see reproduce her Adelaide form, she could do some damage. 17 year old Linda Fruhvirtova faces the Sherif first which is a tough ask to live with her firepower, but would be nice to see a victory.
Other interesting early round clashes are GS champs Kenin against Sloane Stephens, the latter coming off a double bagel against Giorgi. Unseeded Vondrousova is always dangerous and on form could easily make the 4R. Raducanu has a nice draw for someone unseeded, but Kovinic her first round opponent could say the same thing. Muchova found some form in Dhabi and has Putintseva first up, a tricky opponent. Sasnovich/Kanepi is a good opening day match, as is Kalinskaya against Lyon champion Parks. We’ve already established that Parks is an indoor specialist though so Anna should win.
In terms of a prediction, playing it safe and going for Swiatek. IF Rybakina plays to her potential, advances through the draw and sets up a SF clash, then I’ll take her, but that’s unlikely. I do really like her draw though as the surrounding seeds have major question marks over form and fitness. Bencic is the other one, she has the form and the draw to take the title. She just needs to preserve energy early and not play so many marathon matches.
In the bottom half, AO champion Sabalenka doesn’t have a very kind draw if things go as planned (this is the WTA though…). On paper it’s the in-form Donna Vekic 3R, Dubai champion Krejcikova 4R, and Bencic QF. If things go as expected, that’s tough, and I’m not sure Sabs has it in her here, but she is a slam champion! Bencic could face Kostyuk yet again in the 3R, not easy, especially given the Ukrainian is fresh off her first career title in Austin.
Linda Noskova had a much deserved and much needed rest and faces veteran Begu first up, and should she win, Anisimova second. These are both winnable and then it’s likely Gauff. Don’t want to expect too much but should see reproduce her Adelaide form, she could do some damage. 17 year old Linda Fruhvirtova faces the Sherif first which is a tough ask to live with her firepower, but would be nice to see a victory.
Other interesting early round clashes are GS champs Kenin against Sloane Stephens, the latter coming off a double bagel against Giorgi. Unseeded Vondrousova is always dangerous and on form could easily make the 4R. Raducanu has a nice draw for someone unseeded, but Kovinic her first round opponent could say the same thing. Muchova found some form in Dhabi and has Putintseva first up, a tricky opponent. Sasnovich/Kanepi is a good opening day match, as is Kalinskaya against Lyon champion Parks. We’ve already established that Parks is an indoor specialist though so Anna should win.
In terms of a prediction, playing it safe and going for Swiatek. IF Rybakina plays to her potential, advances through the draw and sets up a SF clash, then I’ll take her, but that’s unlikely. I do really like her draw though as the surrounding seeds have major question marks over form and fitness. Bencic is the other one, she has the form and the draw to take the title. She just needs to preserve energy early and not play so many marathon matches.
FAA is almost guaranteed at this stage of his career to lose in the round of 64. Inconsistent is an understatement. Should be top 10 pushing top 3, but has gone backwards of late. Hasn’t done well v the lower ranked players.
Alcaraz or Medvedev for me. They’ll just cruise through opponents first few rounds.
Really keen to see Kokkinakis, Kubler or Popyrin to play solid tennis.
Gigantic
Brownlow Medallist
He's one of those players that I occasionally see over the years and think he's ready to breakout, only to realise he's now 30.
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- #8
This is going to be very difficult avoiding all scores and social media until I get through a few matches at home! I’ve only seen one match so far, Noskova vs Begu. Great performance by Noskova to win 7-6, 6-1. She is simply awesome to watch and would have to be one of the cleanest ball strikers on tour. She served well, hit deep, aggressively and with such confidence. Sublime winners on both wings. Very encouraging signs and faces Anisimova next and honestly, I’d back her to win.
The first set went for over an hour with Begu having set points in the tiebreak, but after losing it she collapsed mentally. For 18 years of age, Noskova handles the important moments so well. I love her composure and that ball striking is just so pure. Currently watching Lehecka and planning to get through another assuming this isn’t a marathon!
The first set went for over an hour with Begu having set points in the tiebreak, but after losing it she collapsed mentally. For 18 years of age, Noskova handles the important moments so well. I love her composure and that ball striking is just so pure. Currently watching Lehecka and planning to get through another assuming this isn’t a marathon!
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- #10
He’s a bit of an odd one who I can’t work out. Everything looks good and he moves so well on the court but he’s had such a bad start to the year. This coming after 4 titles last year and some outstanding results against top players. The BH is too easy to break down, those back to back losses against Medvedev showed how it can be exploited.
A tough match for Lehecka, ended up being a good win which could’ve easily been extended. He ended up winning 7-6, 7-5 in just under 2 hours. Pretty good match, Lehecka just a little more consistent, although broke himself from 4-2 in the second with two double faults. Faces Rublev next, definitely winnable but would need to improve on this in order to cause the upset.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
For an athletic player FAA has trouble with movement especially on the BH wing and I feel as a result goes for shots way too early which look great when they go in but over 3 sets and especially over 5 sets it breaks down. Not uncommon for FAA to have 50+ unforced errors .
I'm more interested in the WTA version this week Fruity win today after losing the first set 6-0. Kostuk unfortunately lost but that was always a tricky round 1. Marta will be happy enough with her first title last week though.
Kokkinakis through to the next round. In a good run of form.
Vukic loss in a close three setter v Wawrinka.
Hijikata won the first set but is now struggling in the second
Vukic loss in a close three setter v Wawrinka.
Hijikata won the first set but is now struggling in the second
Gigantic
Brownlow Medallist
Hijikata claws back in the 2nd now 5-5
Gigantic
Brownlow Medallist
Great win from Hijikata. Playing a decent level right now, should be the next of the Aussies to break into the top 100 and stay there if he can consistently perform like this.
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
These courts suck so slow and boring
Great tournament but this is just a hard court playing as a clay court
Great tournament but this is just a hard court playing as a clay court
Aussies get the the first two seeds. Ouch
Jordan Thompson v Tsitipas
Kokkinakis v Alcaraz.
Jordan Thompson v Tsitipas
Kokkinakis v Alcaraz.
Even grass has began to play notoriously slow.
Tough matches coming up for the Aussies.
Popyrin progresses through and will face Hurkacz.
Kubler has Dimitrov, great chance for him.
Hijikata has also a great chance v Sebastian Baez.
Popyrin progresses through and will face Hurkacz.
Kubler has Dimitrov, great chance for him.
Hijikata has also a great chance v Sebastian Baez.
