TennisToday

Rafael Nadal Wins ATP Title at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Men's Final

5 Rafael Nadal d 7 Juan Martin Del Potro - 46 63 64

Rafa came from a set and a break to notch a record 22nd Masters title.

This also marks a milestone as this was his 600th match victory.

Winning his 3rd title at Indian Wells ('07 & '09) moves him back up to #4.

But that will be temporary as he's not going to defend Sf points at Miami.

This was also his 1st hard court title since October 2010 at Tokyo.

Rafa's 4 tournament comeback swing sure was a success.

He made the final of all 4, winning 3 of them: Sao Paulo, Acapulco & IW.

And suddenly -poof- he's the tour leader in titles won.

This is the best start to a season he's ever enjoyed: 17-1.

We will next see him at Monte-Carlo where he is the 8-time defender.

Post match: A lot of things happened the last seven months, [so]

to be back here and to have this very heavy trophy with me is amazing.

Beating three Top 10 players and winning a title like this is just something

unbelievable for me. I'm very, very happy and very emotional.

Your Rafaholics were too. Trust.

Maria Sharapova Wins Title at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Women's Final

2 Maria Sharapova d 8 Caroline Wozniacki - 62 62

It only took Maria 7 years to win a second title in the Cali desert.

And the win moves her back up to #2 in the rankings.

Post match: The scoreline makes the match look a lot easier than it was -

it was a tough match, a tough battle, and there were a lot of games that

went to deuce and long games.

Those games could have easily swung the other way,

especially some opportunities she had in the second set.

Hmmmm, it seemed kinda easy to me.

Shirtless Sexy Fernando Verdasco Warm Up at indian Wells

Jus' cuz.

You're welcome ladies and gays.

Maria Sharapova Moves into 3rd Final at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Women's Semifinal

2 Maria Sharapova d 13 Maria Kirilenko - 64 63

The '06 champ will try to make it 2 titles at Indian Wells.

She failed to do so in last years final against Vika.

She will need to get thru '11 champ Caroline Wozniacki. H2H: 4-2/Maria.

I'd bet the house on Maria winning this one.

With the Sf win she'll pass Vika and move up to the #2 ranking on Monday.

Post match: Am I? That's great - yeah, it's nice. It's better than #3, right?

I love when players pretend they don't know stuff.

 

Novak Djokovic into Semifinals at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

1 Novak Djokovic d 8 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 63 61

In under an hour y'all.

Nole has won his last 3 tournies: Tour Finals, Aussie Open and Dubai.

He is looking for his 3rd title here ('08, '11) and a 4th final.

He will need to get thru 7 Juan Martin Del Potro - H2H: 8-2/Novak.

Novak has taken their last 4 meetings - he's won 9 of their last 10 sets.

Post match: I tried to pay attention to my game.

I really didn't care about how my opponent felt. I just tried to focus on

the job I needed to do, and my performance was really good.

I served really well and used the shots around the court well,

and that's what matters for me.

I'm looking forward to a Nole/Rafa final. Make it happen boys.

David Ferrer & Feliciano Lopez Go Horseback Riding in the Coachella Valley

Both Spaniards lost their first matches at Indian Wells.

Horsebacking in the desert is a fair way to relieve those disappointments.

Next up for both of them is the Masters 1000 at Miami.

Never fear guys... Spain is being well repped at Indian Wells.

His name is Rafa.

Rafael Nadal Wins Match #29 Over Rival Roger Federer at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

5 Rafael Nadal d 2 Roger Federer - 64 62

Rafa improves his mastery over Rog to 19-10 in their H2H.

And he pulled even in matches played on hard court: 6-6.

Out of respect Rafa did not celebrate this victory after match point.

It was painfully obvious that Roger was not playing at 100%.

I mean, Gimelstob used the word 'compromised' for Rog a million times.

It became a tequilla shot game in my head. So annoying.

Post match: I played a fantastic first set, in my opinion.

The second set was strange.

The second set, I think Roger didn't fight as usual.

He probably had some problems and he didn't feel enough comfortable

to keep fighting. Both of us tried to play our best. I played much better

than yesterday. My movements today were much, much better than

yesterday, so I'm very happy for that, especially after a long match

yesterday, to be able to compete well the next day.

He gets Tomas Berdych in the semis on Saturday.

Tough one but I'm going full-stop vamos.

Photo: Pinched from Rafa's Facebook.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal to Meet in Quarterfinal Blockbuster at Indian Wells

Tonight we are getting Roger vs Rafa edition 29. H2H: 18-10/Rafa.

On hard courts they are 6-5/Roger.

They both went to 7-5 in the 3rd in their previous matches.

They have only met before the Sf's one other time - Miami '04. Rafa won.

This is the 1st time they've played since the Sf here last year. Roger won.

This is also the most Slams on a court in the history of men's tennis: 28.

I've canceled all plans tonight as I'll have a date with the Tennis Channel.

***

About the photo: Ana, Rafa, Roger, Vika & Nole...

Breaking ground on the new court 2 at Indian Wells. Ready for 2014.

Sexy and They Know It: Novak Djokovic & RedFoo Play Football Together at Indian Wells

That soccer pitch at Indian Wells is a fun way to watch these players.

Saturday I watched Nole and Redfoo knock the ball around.

All smiles and relaxed.

Novak was pushed to 3 sets in his opener against Fabio Fognini.

Time to get serious.

Rafael Nadal Serve Stop Motion at Indian Wells

I was able to watch front row Rafa's practice session on Saturday.

He wore out his practice partner about half way thru.

Later that night he beat Ryan Harrison 76(3) 62.

It was Rafa's 1st hard court match since the Miami Sf's last March.

He's heading to match #29 with Roger Federer in the quarters.

Bring it.

Roger Federer & Rafael Nadal Bump into Each Other at Indian Wells

And they are seeded to bump into each other in the quarterfinals as well.

That would represent match #29. H2H: 18-10/Rafa.

Tho Roger has a tricky draw to get there & who knows how Rafa will play.

But everyone is looking toward it. Me included.

***

Rafa's 7 month injury layoff caused him to fall to #5 in the rankings.

And he really has no room to move up to #4 before Roland Garros.

Ferrer would have to fall apart in the next couple of months...

And Rafa only has Madrid to add points to his ranking.

This clay court season is going to be very interesting.

Very interesting indeed.

Rafael Nadal & Marc Lopez Win Doubles Title at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Doubles Final

Marc Lopez & Rafael Nadal d John Isner & Sam Querrey 62 76(3)

Well lookie here, Rafa did not leave IW without a consolation prize.

Deja vu: In 2010 Rafa lost in the Sf of singles & won dubs title with Lopez.

Marc has a good friend.

There is an idea being bandied suggesting they enter the Olympics together.

It's a cute idea but it won't happen.

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer Wins ATP Title at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 Indian Wells - Final

3 Roger Federer d 11 John Isner - 76(7) 63

This is Fed's 4th IW title ('04-'06, '12) and 73rd on the ATP tour.

The win also ties him with Rafael Nadal with a record 19 Masters 1000 titles.

Look out: Since his Sf loss at the US Open he's won 6 of 8 tournaments.

More specifically it amounts to a W/L of 41-3. Very impressive stats.

The 2 matches he lost this year he avenged today and yesterday.

After the match Roger told Pam Shriver that he wants the singles gold.

Miami suddenly got really interesting rankings wise...

Novak and Rafa both lost point here as Roger gained. Hmm...

Photo: Reuters

Victoria Azarenka Wins WTA Title at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Final

1 Victoria Azarenka d Maria Sharapova - 62 63

The girl is unbeatable: 23-0.

4th straight title of 2012: Sydney, Aussie Open, Doha and now Indian Wells.

And Vika heads to Miami as the defending champion.

This is the 2nd time Vika has destroyed Maria this year (Aussie Open final).

Vika: There's nothing I do particularly differently against her...

I'm just trying to do my best and play every point.

I know Maria is a fighter though, so I know I can't relax even a little bit.

If she has a window she'll take it...

So I had to be aggressive and keep the pressure on.

Vika pads her lead over Maria & Petra at #1.

Get use to it - she's gonna be there awhile.

Photo: Getty Images

John Isner Upsets Novak Djokovic in a Thrilling Semifinal at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Semifinal

11 John Isner d 1 Novak Djokovic - 76(7) 36 76(5)

Welcome to the top 10 John. Well earned. And much deserved.

Who knew beating Federer in Davis Cup last month was just a warm-up act?

This is the 1st time John has beaten a current #1 player.

This is also John's 1st Masters 1000 final. And biggest payday.

He will contend for the title with the winner of Rafa/Roger.

Remember: He pushed Rafa to 5 sets at Roland Garros just last year.

Either player he faces tomorrow I'll give him even odds.

Added incentive: A title will make him the USA's #1 player.

As for Novak, he's now 1 for 3 in title defenses on the season.

He heads to Miami also as the defending champion.

I don't think Novak will view this match as a setback. Reset: Miami.

Photo: Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka & Maria Sharapova Set-up Aussie Rematch in Final at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Semifinals

1 Victoria Azarenka d 18 Angelique Kerber - 64 63

2 Maria Sharapova d 15 Ana Ivanovic - 64 01 ret.

Final: 1 Victoria Azarenka vs 2 Maria Sharapova H2H: 4-3/Vika

***

Vika is off to a perfect start to the year: 22-0. Which includes 3 titles.

Can she head to Miami still undefeated?

Remember: Vika destroyed Maria in the Aussie final in January - 63 60.

But Maria has tasted victory at Indian Wells as champion in '07.

Odd, but true: Only the 3rd time since '05 #'s 1 & 2 have met in a WTA final.

One thing is a given - this will shatter decibel level records.

I'll be watching this one on mute.

Photos: Reuters

Novak Djokovic Practicing for John Isner's Serve

Novak took to his often funny photo site to post this hilarious pic.

It's from his practice for Isner which doesn't look like it's on-site.

He captioned it:

One of the biggest servers on tour will be on the other side of the net today.

How do I practice return?  ;-)

It's so hard not to like this adorkable kid.

Rafael Nadal Wins Quarterfinal Thriller at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Quarterfinal

2 Rafael Nadal d David Nalbandian - 46 75 64

Rafa was a couple points from defeat in that 2nd set & turned it around.

Also, this marks the first time his serve has been broken this tournament.

He'll face Federer for the 28th time (18-9/RN) but for the 1st time at IW.

This marks Rafa's 7th straight trip to the Sf's at IW: 3-3.

The 2-time champ ('07 & '09) was runner-up to Novak last year.

Roger may have won his 250th Masters 1000 match - this was Rafa's 215th.

Double duty: Rafa is also in the doubles final tomorrow with Marc Lopez.

They are looking for their 2nd IW title together - against Isner/Querrey.

That ought to be a cracker.

***

After the match he met Ben Stiller.

Photo: Reuters (top) & Getty Images (bottom)

Federer Spanks Del Potro Again - This Time in the Quarters at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Quarterfinal

3 Roger Federer d 9 Juan Martin Del Potro - 63 62

Roger has played 5 tournaments this season...

And in his last 4 he's made DelPo his bitch. It's kinda ridiculous.

The win was another Roger milestone - 250 Masters 1000 match wins.

And if it's not clear, it's already a record - he's just adding to it.

This the 3-time champ's 7th IW Sf: 3-3. He's lost his last 3, including 2011.

Roger: I sort of expected myself to come out and play a good match today...

After the struggle I had against [Thomaz] Bellucci.

I don't usually struggle back-to-back days...

So this was for me a really good match against a great player.

Roger will play Rafael Nadal for a 28th edition in the Sf: 18-9/RN.

They've played all over the world but oddly enough never at Indian Wells.

Even tho she's in Roger's box I bet Gwen secretly likes Rafa.

Photos: Getty Images

John Isner Coming of Age at Indian Wells

ATP Masters Series 1000 - Quarterfinal

11 John Isner d 13 Gilles Simon - 63 16 75

John is poised to join the top 10 for the first time.

His Sf showing may not be quite enough but a win over Novak might do it.

And/or another strong week at Miami. (Oh that tricky rankings math.)

This is John's 2nd Masters 1000 Sf. He lost a thriller to Tsonga at Paris '11.

Speaking of Novak - they've played twice and Novak has won twice.

But that was in 2010 - John is playing much better. But, Novak is too.

Should be quite an interesting match. Can John gain his first 1000 final?

It's possible. I say this Sf is only 55-45 in Novak's favor. Maybe even 51-49.

Photo: Getty Images