Sunday, March 12, 2017
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Friday, March 10, 2017
Thursday, March 09, 2017
Roger Federer Unfazed By Difficult Draw In Indian Wells
In a way, Roger Federer might get exactly what he wants during his return to the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells this week. Federer said he came to the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament to face the best, and he should have that opportunity early and often at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The four-time champion has been drawn in the same quarter as five-time champion Novak Djokovic, three-time titlist Rafael Nadal, Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, #NextGenATP star Alexander Zverev and World No. 16 Nick Kyrgios, who's coming off his first win against Djokovic last week in Acapulco.
It's the first time that Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have been drawn in the same quarter. They were drawn in the same half for the first time last year in Rome. The Swiss star isn't sure if he's faced a tougher draw during his 20-year career, but he's also not worried.
“It doesn't matter. I've gone through so many draws. I came here to Indian Wells to play against those guys. So it doesn't matter if it's a semi, a final or actually a fourth round,” Federer said during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.
The 35 year old can't meet Nadal until the fourth round, but even that isn't a sure bet for Federer, who's returning to Indian Wells for the first time since 2015. Knee surgery last year forced him to miss the tournament after 15 consecutive main draw appearances in the desert.
“It's good to be back here and still on the comeback,” said Federer, who's playing in his third tour-level event of the season. “I'm enjoying practice more than ever and can't wait for the matches to roll around.”
In the third round, Federer could meet former Top 10 player Kevin Anderson or 24th seed and California native Steve Johnson. Next, Federer might face Nadal in the fourth round, which would be the earliest they've met at a tournament since their first meeting in 2004, when they played in the third round in Miami.
Since Nadal took that debut contest, 13 years and 34 more FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings have passed. Nadal leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 23-12, but Federer has won their past two contests, including the Australian Open final in January.
If Federer advances past Nadal and the seeds play out on the bottom portion of the draw, Federer will face Djokovic, who's looking to extend his 17-match win streak in the desert and claim his fourth consecutive Indian Wells title. But del Potro, Zverev and Kyrgios also loom in the Serbian's section.
“Most of the guys you won't even see because they'll eliminate each other. So from that standpoint the first message I got was Dudi Sela or Stephane Robert,” Federer said of his potential second-round opponents, following a first-round bye. “Then I heard that Rafa was in my section, you're like OK, and then you hear that maybe Novak's in your section and you're like OK, fine.”
Helping Federer stay relaxed is that winning feeling he's still carrying from Down Under. The 18-time Grand Slam champion said it feels like his five-set win against Nadal happened just yesterday.
“I still feel like I'm on Cloud Nine,” Federer said. “Things are terrific, and I'm happy if I made a lot of people happy, because I know I'm not just playing for myself these days. There's so much more to it.”
The right-hander has a 52-11 career record in Indian Wells, a run that includes four titles (2004-06, 2012) and two runner-up finishes (2014, 2015).
The four-time champion has been drawn in the same quarter as five-time champion Novak Djokovic, three-time titlist Rafael Nadal, Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, #NextGenATP star Alexander Zverev and World No. 16 Nick Kyrgios, who's coming off his first win against Djokovic last week in Acapulco.
It's the first time that Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have been drawn in the same quarter. They were drawn in the same half for the first time last year in Rome. The Swiss star isn't sure if he's faced a tougher draw during his 20-year career, but he's also not worried.
“It doesn't matter. I've gone through so many draws. I came here to Indian Wells to play against those guys. So it doesn't matter if it's a semi, a final or actually a fourth round,” Federer said during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday.
The 35 year old can't meet Nadal until the fourth round, but even that isn't a sure bet for Federer, who's returning to Indian Wells for the first time since 2015. Knee surgery last year forced him to miss the tournament after 15 consecutive main draw appearances in the desert.
“It's good to be back here and still on the comeback,” said Federer, who's playing in his third tour-level event of the season. “I'm enjoying practice more than ever and can't wait for the matches to roll around.”
In the third round, Federer could meet former Top 10 player Kevin Anderson or 24th seed and California native Steve Johnson. Next, Federer might face Nadal in the fourth round, which would be the earliest they've met at a tournament since their first meeting in 2004, when they played in the third round in Miami.
Since Nadal took that debut contest, 13 years and 34 more FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings have passed. Nadal leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 23-12, but Federer has won their past two contests, including the Australian Open final in January.
If Federer advances past Nadal and the seeds play out on the bottom portion of the draw, Federer will face Djokovic, who's looking to extend his 17-match win streak in the desert and claim his fourth consecutive Indian Wells title. But del Potro, Zverev and Kyrgios also loom in the Serbian's section.
“Most of the guys you won't even see because they'll eliminate each other. So from that standpoint the first message I got was Dudi Sela or Stephane Robert,” Federer said of his potential second-round opponents, following a first-round bye. “Then I heard that Rafa was in my section, you're like OK, and then you hear that maybe Novak's in your section and you're like OK, fine.”
Helping Federer stay relaxed is that winning feeling he's still carrying from Down Under. The 18-time Grand Slam champion said it feels like his five-set win against Nadal happened just yesterday.
“I still feel like I'm on Cloud Nine,” Federer said. “Things are terrific, and I'm happy if I made a lot of people happy, because I know I'm not just playing for myself these days. There's so much more to it.”
The right-hander has a 52-11 career record in Indian Wells, a run that includes four titles (2004-06, 2012) and two runner-up finishes (2014, 2015).
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
Roger Federer to face Rafa Nadal & Novak Djokovic in his quarter at Indian Wells
Welcome back, Roger Federer. Now get ready to possibly face Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic if you want to reach the semi-finals during your return to the BNP Paribas Open, the season's first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament, which gets underway on Thursday.
Federer, the ninth seed, opens with a bye and could meet 24th seed Steve Johnson in the third round. But the potential fourth-round match-up with Nadal is the contest tennis fans have highlighted.
The battle would mark the 26th time the two have played. Nadal leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 23-12 but Federer won their last contest, of course, taking the Australian Open final in January for his 18thGrand Slam title.
Knee surgery last year forced Federer to miss Indian Wells after 15 consecutive main draw appearances in the desert. The right-hander is 52-11 at the Masters 1000 tournament, including four titles (2004-06, 2012) and two runner-up finishes (2014, 2015).
Nadal, however, doesn't have a free pass to the Round of 16. He has a first-round bye and if he gets through his second-round match, the Spaniard could meet countryman and 26th seed Fernando Verdasco in the third round, which is always a contest worth watching. Nadal leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 15-3, including a third-round win last year in Indian Wells.
Whomever reaches the quarter-finals from that section could meet three-time defending champion Djokovic, who's riding an 18-match win streak in Indian Wells. But nothing is guaranteed in Djokovic's portion, either.
After a first-round bye, the Serbian could face Brit Kyle Edmund in the second round and 31st seed Juan Martin del Potro in the third round. Djokovic beat del Potro in three sets in Acapulco last week and leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 12-4.
If the seeds play out, 15th seed Nick Kyrgios or #NextGenATP star Alexander Zverev, the 18th seed, could meet Djokovic in the fourth round. The victor from Djokovic's quarter could face fourth seed Kei Nishikori in the semi-finals.
On the top half, far away from the stacked bottom portion of the draw, sits top seed Andy Murray. The Scot, who has won the past two Masters 1000 titles, could meet 30th seed Feliciano Lopez in the third round and 16th seed Roberto Bautista Agut in the fourth round.
The highest seed awaiting Murray in the quarter-finals could be seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Stan Wawrinka, the third seed, could meet Murray in the top half's semi-final.
Tuesday, March 07, 2017
Masters Of The Masters: 'Big Four' Riding Wave Of Dominance
Nine tournaments, nine opportunities to test your talents at the highest level. There is no stronger barometer for success than the nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events. Tournaments that span the globe in the most scenic, world-class locales, they provide the ultimate challenge with significant Emirates ATP Rankings points at stake. This week, the first of the year is set to get underway at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
To be the best, you have to perform at the most elite events. For more than a decade, the quartet of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have done exactly that. The Big Four have tossed aside any notion of parity at the Masters 1000 level in recent years, maintaining a stunning stranglehold.
“A lot of the top guys have been in the latter stages of the Masters 1000s and often to win them, you have to defeat a couple of them which is not easy,” Murray said in Cincinnati last year. “It just goes to show the consistency of the top players over the last 10 years or so has been phenomenal.”
The Masters monopoly Murray spoke of has been nothing short of astounding. Since March 2008, the quartet has claimed 88 per cent (71 of 81) of titles, including 54 of the past 59 crowns. Their prolific run of sustained dominance at the highest level is jaw-dropping. Only Marin Cilic (Cincinnati 2016), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Toronto 2014), Stan Wawrinka (Monte-Carlo 2014), David Ferrer (Paris 2012) and Robin Soderling (Paris 2010) have crashed the party since April 2010. In fact, on clay, the Big Four have won 29 of 30 Masters 1000 events dating back more than a decade, with Wawrinka’s victory at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters the lone exception.
With the majority held over the course of just one week, Masters 1000 tournaments are grueling sprints that often feature multiple battles between Top 10 players. And with a best-of-three set format, anyone can catch fire on any given day and spring an upset, which further adds to the intrigue of the Big Four’s dominance.
Big Four's Masters 1000 Dominance
Player Titles Most Successful Event
Missing Trophies
Novak Djokovic
30 Miami (6 titles)
Cincinnati
Rafael Nadal
28 Monte-Carlo (9)
Miami, Shanghai, Paris
Roger Federer
24 Cincinnati (7)
Monte-Carlo, Rome
Andy Murray
14
Canada, Shanghai (3)
Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo
Djokovic has been at his very best here, amassing a record 30 titles since lifting his first trophy in Miami in 2007. Nadal sits in second place with 28 victories, while Federer resides in third with 24. Murray, meanwhile, is just three behind Andre Agassi with 14 crowns. To put this into further perspective, Agassi (17) and Pete Sampras (11) are the only players aside from the Big Four to win double-digit Masters 1000 titles.
"You value Grand Slams, but on the other hand, I've loved playing in Masters tournaments throughout my career," said Djokovic after winning in Toronto last year. "I have had plenty of success in this particular category of events and I'm very grateful for that because I always value them as much as I value Grand Slams."
Djokovic, Federer and Nadal own the longest win streaks in Masters 1000 history, with the Serbian having won 31 straight matches in 2011 and again accruing a streak of 30 in a row in 2014-15. Federer won 29 successive matches from 2005-06, with Nadal stringing together 23 straight in 2013. Moreover, Nadal is the only player to win a title in 10 straight seasons, having seized trophies in each campaign from 2005-14.
The world’s best will descend on Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, with qualifying set to get underway on Tuesday and main draw action commencing on Thursday and running through the final on 19 March. World No. 1 Murray is seeking his first title in the California desert, while No. 2 Djokovic is eyeing a record sixth. Murray is bidding to extend his win streak at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, having prevailed in Shanghai and Paris towards the end of the 2016 season. Including his title at the ATP Finals, the Scot is riding an impressive run of form in elite ATP World Tour events. In addition to Djokovic, other former champions in the field are Federer (2004-06, '12) and Nadal (2007, '09, '13).
To be the best, you have to perform at the most elite events. For more than a decade, the quartet of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray have done exactly that. The Big Four have tossed aside any notion of parity at the Masters 1000 level in recent years, maintaining a stunning stranglehold.
“A lot of the top guys have been in the latter stages of the Masters 1000s and often to win them, you have to defeat a couple of them which is not easy,” Murray said in Cincinnati last year. “It just goes to show the consistency of the top players over the last 10 years or so has been phenomenal.”
The Masters monopoly Murray spoke of has been nothing short of astounding. Since March 2008, the quartet has claimed 88 per cent (71 of 81) of titles, including 54 of the past 59 crowns. Their prolific run of sustained dominance at the highest level is jaw-dropping. Only Marin Cilic (Cincinnati 2016), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Toronto 2014), Stan Wawrinka (Monte-Carlo 2014), David Ferrer (Paris 2012) and Robin Soderling (Paris 2010) have crashed the party since April 2010. In fact, on clay, the Big Four have won 29 of 30 Masters 1000 events dating back more than a decade, with Wawrinka’s victory at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters the lone exception.
With the majority held over the course of just one week, Masters 1000 tournaments are grueling sprints that often feature multiple battles between Top 10 players. And with a best-of-three set format, anyone can catch fire on any given day and spring an upset, which further adds to the intrigue of the Big Four’s dominance.
Big Four's Masters 1000 Dominance
Player Titles Most Successful Event
Missing Trophies
Novak Djokovic
30 Miami (6 titles)
Cincinnati
Rafael Nadal
28 Monte-Carlo (9)
Miami, Shanghai, Paris
Roger Federer
24 Cincinnati (7)
Monte-Carlo, Rome
Andy Murray
14
Canada, Shanghai (3)
Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo
Djokovic has been at his very best here, amassing a record 30 titles since lifting his first trophy in Miami in 2007. Nadal sits in second place with 28 victories, while Federer resides in third with 24. Murray, meanwhile, is just three behind Andre Agassi with 14 crowns. To put this into further perspective, Agassi (17) and Pete Sampras (11) are the only players aside from the Big Four to win double-digit Masters 1000 titles.
"You value Grand Slams, but on the other hand, I've loved playing in Masters tournaments throughout my career," said Djokovic after winning in Toronto last year. "I have had plenty of success in this particular category of events and I'm very grateful for that because I always value them as much as I value Grand Slams."
Djokovic, Federer and Nadal own the longest win streaks in Masters 1000 history, with the Serbian having won 31 straight matches in 2011 and again accruing a streak of 30 in a row in 2014-15. Federer won 29 successive matches from 2005-06, with Nadal stringing together 23 straight in 2013. Moreover, Nadal is the only player to win a title in 10 straight seasons, having seized trophies in each campaign from 2005-14.
The world’s best will descend on Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, with qualifying set to get underway on Tuesday and main draw action commencing on Thursday and running through the final on 19 March. World No. 1 Murray is seeking his first title in the California desert, while No. 2 Djokovic is eyeing a record sixth. Murray is bidding to extend his win streak at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level, having prevailed in Shanghai and Paris towards the end of the 2016 season. Including his title at the ATP Finals, the Scot is riding an impressive run of form in elite ATP World Tour events. In addition to Djokovic, other former champions in the field are Federer (2004-06, '12) and Nadal (2007, '09, '13).
Monday, March 06, 2017
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