Indian Wells roundup: Men’s singles
Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:30
Rafael Nadal showed no mercy to his opponent, Michael Berrer, punishing the 28 year-old German (ranked 112) 6-2, 6-1 in a one-sided match that lasted just 67 minutes.
For me it was perfect, said Nadal. I played a very comfortable match. I had the break in the first game of both sets. Thats really important. I felt well on the court, playing good.
Defending Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, however, faced a tougher test against Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello, with the Serbian capitalising on four of his eight break chances against the 54-ranked Arguello.
Its just a mental ability to play the best tennis, said Djokovic. I know that I cannot perform always my best tennis, but my confidence has raised in the last month and a half. Im aware that still there need to be some improvements but Im taking it step by step.
Nadal faces Russian Dmitry Tursunov who eventually overcame American qualifier Michael Russell 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in the third round whilst his semi-final opponent of last year, Djokovic, faces German Tommy Haas after he saw off his countryman Rainer Schuettler 6-7, 6-2, 6-4.
In what has been the biggest upset of this years tournament in more ways than one lanky American wildcard John Isner, ranked a lowly 147, sent Frenchman Gael Monfils packing in a one hour and 58 minute contest that ended 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. Incredibly, the American did not face a single break point on his serve throughout the match.
The foundations for another surprise upset at the hands of an American wildcard were laid when Ryan Sweeting won a first set tiebreak against world No.6 Juan Martin del Potro. However, class was the victor and Del Potro powered through the last two sets to win 6-7, 6-3, 6-1.
Last years runner-up Mardy Fish faced Jeremy Chardy, who he had defeated two weeks earlier in the Delray Beach semi-finals. However, it was a different affair at Indian Wells, as the 48-ranked Frenchman denied American Fish any opportunity to progress, converting his first match point, winning 7-6, 7-6.
Elsewhere, Argentinas David Nalbandian defeated American Robert Kendrick 6-4, 6-4. The Argentine will face Serbian Viktor Troicki, who won against Czech star Tomas Berdych 6-3, 6-1.
Spaniard David Ferrer dismissed American qualifier Todd Widom 6-4, 7-5. Fan favourite Marat Safin, who will retire at the Paris Masters later this year, overcame Chilean Nicolas Massu 6-3, 7-6. And Swiss star Stanislas Wawrinka saved all nine break points as he advanced to the third round after dispatching Italian Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-3.
Meanwhile in the mens doubles, the Bryan brothers ousted the Swiss pairing of Yves Allegro and Roger Federer, 6-2 6-0.
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