Djokovic and Murray Both Advance in Indian Wells

March 17, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Murray_ Crop
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

The defending champion at the BNP Paribas Open Novak Djokovic moved into the fourth-round of the tournament on Monday, beating Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-5, 6-3. The world number one converted on four of his nine break point chances as he won in one hour and 25 minutes, but was not particularly pleased with his performance.

“It wasn’t as good as the first round, that’s for sure, but a win is a win,” Djokovic said. “I did struggle a lot, had some unforced errors. From the back of the court I didn’t feel so great. But towards the end of the match was better, so hopefully it can be better in the next one too. I definitely need to work tomorrow on the balance and hopefully in the next one there will be fewer mistakes.”

Djokovic was broken twice on his own serve and had an uncharacteristic ratio of 32 unforced errors to just 18 winners. Despite the unflattering states, he advanced in straight sets and will take on 18th-seeded American John Isner in the fourth-round.

Isner notched a very good victory over 16th-seeded Kevin Anderson to advance Monday, defeating the South African 7-6(6), 6-2.

In a battle of two of the biggest servers on the tour, Isner fired 18 to Anderson’s 11, and picked up the only two break points of the match.

“I cannot ask for better conditions to go up against someone like that,” said Isner of his next-round matchup with Djokovic. “These conditions suit me very well. That being said, every condition suits him well. He does everything the best, that’s why he’s number one in the world. There is no surface he’s a slough on. But I think a court like this, and maybe hopefully the crowd on my side, can certainly help me a lot.”

Isner and Djokovic have split the last two matches between them at Indian Wells, with Djokovic winning last year and Isner winning in 2012.

Andy Murray escaped a three-set contest with 26th-seeded German Phillipp Kohlschreiber, winning 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 to advance to the fourth round.

After dropping the second set, the fourth-seeded Scot displayed some fine tennis in the final frame, breaking Kohlschreiber twice and winning 18 of his 24 service points.

“I think he definitely started to return better,” said Murray of the second set. “The game where I got broken, I played a few poor shots in that game, as well. It can happen in these conditions where it’s so lively that you can miss-time a few balls. Apart from that, I thought I played a good match against a tough opponent who I think plays well in these conditions, and it was a good win for me.”

Murray will take on Adrian Mannarino of France at the next stage. Mannarino ousted the 14th-seeded Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 6-4 in one of the day’s earlier matches.

“I have never practiced with him or played against him, but I know about his game,” Murray said of Mannarino. “I feel like I have an idea of what his strengths are, but obviously the way he plays against other players will be different maybe to how he plays against me.”

One of the day’s biggest upsets was served up by 32nd-seeded Bernard Tomic of Australia. Tomic powered past Ferrer 7-5, 6-4 by saving 11 of 13 break points and taking advantage of seven Ferrer double-faults.

Tomic moves into a fourth-round contest with fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis, who notched an upset of his own Monday. The 18-year-old outlasted Argentina’s Juan Monaco in a third-set tie-breaker to come out victorious 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(5).

“Tiring, but I’m more happy than anything,” said Kokkinakis after the two hour and 46 minute battle. “

Also on Monday, fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan came back from a set down to beat 28th seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4. He will take on another Spaniard, 12th seeded Feliciano Lopez, who defeated 20th seeded Argentinean Pablo Cuevas 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

The action from Indian Wells continues today, as Roger Federer and Andreas Seppi will battle in a rematch of January’s Australian Open, and Rafael Nadal will meet American Donald Young. 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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