Moya and Ancic Win First-Round Matches in Indian Wells

Indian Wells, CA—Day one action of the first Masters 1000 event of the year in Palm Springs featured two former top 10 players, Carlos Moya and Mario Ancic winning first-round encounters.

Moya, who captured the No. 1 ranking in 1999, reached the mildstone by advancing to the finals in Indian Wells. Currently ranked No. 639 in the world, Moya needed two tough tiebreak sets to upend opportunistic American Tim Smyczek 7-6(7), 7-6(5) in two hours and 20 minutes.

Winning 75 percent of his first serve points, Moya struck four aces while breaking the serve of his opponent on three occasions. Needing four match points to defeat his 22-year-old opponent, Moya hit a backhand winner to reach the second-round.

The 33-year-old veteran had this to say after his victory. ”I was nervous when I was closing the match, but I’m hitting well. I’m happy to be here with you,” said Moya.

Entering the 2010 season after enduring both toe and hamstring injury in 2009, Moya will next face No. 26 seed Thomaz Bellucci in second-round action.

Croatian Mario Ancic won his first Tour-level match of the season after defeating Bobby Reynolds 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Falling to the No. 694 spot on the computer rankings, Ancic has struggled with symptoms of mononucleosis for the better part to two years.

Completing a law degree while he was sidelined, Ancic reached the finals of a Futures event last week in Texas.

Blasting 12 aces past his American opponent on Thursday, Ancic won 80 percent of his first serve points while breaking the serve of Reynolds on three occasions.

The 6′5″ Split native improved to 5-6 lifetime at the event, and will face No. 31 seed Julien Benneteau in the second-round.

Elsewhere, 2008 finalist Mardy Fish moved past Michael Berrer 1-6, 6-1, 6-3; Ryan Harrison defeated Taylor Dent 6-3, 6-4; Pablo Cuevas dismissed Frederico Gil 6-4, 7-5; Daniel Koellerer defeated Rajeev Ram 6-1, 6-3; Fabio Fognini fought past Oliver Rochus 6-4, 1-6, 7-5; Brian Dabul defeated Leonardo Mayer 7-6 (4), 6-2; Philipp Petzchner breezed past Christophe Rochus 6-2, 7-5; Florent Serra dispatched Alejandro Falla 6-1, 6-2; Ramon Delgado defeated Andreas Beck 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-4; Guillermo Garcia-Lopez won his first match of the year over Lukas Lacko 4-6, 6-4, 7-5; Kevin Anderson brushed aside Bjorn Phau 6-3, 6-3, and Rainer Schuettler defeated Thiago Alves 7-5, 6-0.

Matches that are still to come on Thursday will include: Marco Chiudinelli vs. Ernests Gulbis.

Friday’s featured matches will include: James Blake vs. Daniel Gimeno-Traver; David Nalbandian vs. Stefan Koubek, and Richard Gasquet vs. Simon Greul.

Quotes courtesy of atpworldtour.com.

Preview for BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, California

The season’s first Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells, CA will bring forward a few compelling storylines.

Gone are the lonely days of February, where many matches and tournaments were played and won—none of which will really be remembered. The tennis season officially bursts into gear this week in Palm Springs, ushering in seven months of block-buster and meaningful tennis. The meat and potatoes of the season which occupies March through September—Indian Wells through the end of the US Open—remains the pulse, points, and prize money for the game’s best.

A few missing soldiers, who have been absent from action for quite sometime will be the featured attractions at the Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. None other than Roger Federer, who has been sidelined with a lung infection and resting after his Australian Open win will lead the field. Rafael Nadal, who has been busy recovering from a series of persistent knee ailments will bring his vigor and tenacity to Palm Springs, and finally the Masters 1000 man himself, Andy Murray, who thrives in the best of three set format, will be making his first appearance since his brief and controversial stint in Dubai.

I’d be surprised to see nothing short of a Davis Cup hangover for the top players. Although the season has just begun, the back and forth grind through Europe and the United States could very well be a telling factor in this week’s results.

Nevertheless, we have a big tournament to cover here, and yours truly will be on site for the beginning of the festivities. I’m anxiously anticipating the “Hit for Haiti 2″ event, but there could very well be some cause for concern regarding the main draw.

Let’s now take a look at the top four seeds, and their respective quarters.

Federer’s Quarter:

Funny isn’t it, Federer is still the man to beat in men’s tennis, yet he hasn’t played a competitive match since January. The ultra fluid Swiss, who is a three-time champion at the event, remains in harm’s way of a recent lung infection and undetermined form. One can never really bet against Federer, but considering his nonchalant approach to his post-Australian schedule, you’d have to think that something could go wrong for Federer and fast.

Federer is slated to face “life’s a party” Marcos Baghdatis in the third-round, with crafty slicer and dicer Radek Stepanek in the round-of-16. Although Federer would be favored against both foes, both players have the weaponry to cause chaos for the top seed. Baghdatis in particular could give Federer something to think about considering his recent run of good form.

Other potential semifinal candidates in this section could include: Gael Monfils, Richard Gasquet and Andy Roddick. The French contingent may find it difficult to make head-ways in the desert considering their Davis Cup heroics over the weekend. Roddick, who has been resting an injured shoulder injury, has been hard at work with California resident Larry Stefanki finetuning his hard-court game. Roddick has yet to win a title in Indian Wells, but could put forth the required effort to complete his quintet of Masters 1000 events on hard-courts.

We’re all aware of Roddick’s dismal record against Federer lifetime—and trust me, it hurts Andy more than anything—but what we must also remember about the veteran American is that his attitude, and blue-colored self-belief, will always resinate through each and every event that he plays.

I know what you’re thinking: Two wins in 21 tries doesn’t leave much in the way for Roddick to prevail in this section. But when taking into account Federer’s inactivity since Melbourne, coupled with Roddick’s recent rest and practice in Palm Springs, a strong claim for an upset could be in order.

Pick: Roddick

Djokovic Quarter:

Entering his first big event with the No. 2 ranking, Djokovic will have the expectation of a deep run plastered on the back of his new Sergio Tacchini attire.

Capturing the title in 2008, Djokovic helped propel his boisterous Davis Cup team into the quarterfinals last weekend, while defending the first title of his career the week before in Dubai.

Considering his recent wear and tear, I’d normally be reluctant to pick Djokovic in reaching the latter stages of the event. But when analyzing his section of the draw, the word “cupcakeish” screams out like the Serb’s players’ box. With no one in sight to challenge Djokovic until the quarterfinals, I’d leave the task of an upset to either No. 11 seed Juan Carlos Ferrero or Tour trailblazer Marin Cilic.

Ferrero had an incredible month in February, which included winning two titles, and recording a 14-1 record. The veteran Spaniard will be eager to prove his mettle on hard-courts, while making tennis fans respect his recent success on clay. Cilic on the other hand has performed well on hard-courts this season—winning two titles and making the final four in Australia. Cilic remains the clear favorite for break out player of the year, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if he made Indian Wells the grounds for his biggest title to date.

Trailing Djokovic 4-0 in career meetings, Cilic appears to be on the cusp of figuring out his Serbian nemesis.

Djokovic, to me anyway, will need some time to recover from his marathon win over John Isner in DC action, while continuing his acquaintance with the No. 2 spot. The aforementioned recipe could very result in an upset of the vibrant Serbian—or Cilic’s skill-set could simply be too good for the rest of the field.

At any rate…

Pick: Cilic

Nadal Quarter:

What up, Rafa? Out of action for nearly six weeks, the defending champion will receive a resonating welcome to the Tennis Garden when he makes his return to his den this weekend. Keeping himself busy with a Gypsy, and a recovering knee, Nadal’s level of play and result in California is honestly unknown. Having a workable opening few rounds, Nadal will begin his title defense with two qualifiers and unheralded Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the third-round.

Nadal’s concerns could heighten in the quarterfinals with a collision course with the future of American tennis. Both Isner and Sam Querrey, who made the US proud over the weekend with their diligent Davis Cup performances, could face Nadal in the final eight. At this point, I’d say that either Isner or Querrey could upset Nadal, with both youngsters utilizing their commanding serve and forehand combinations to power through the 2010 season. Querrey’s game is slightly better suited to the Palm Springs desert, while Isner has proven that his size and heart have no boundaries.

If Nadal can squeeze past his super-sized American foes, either Nikolay Davydenko, or Fernando Verdasco would be his likely quarterfinal opponents.

Davydenko is far from his best form, and could very well withdraw before he strikes a single forehand. Verdasco, a quarterfinalist last year, will be coming in off of an injured back, while adamantly tweaking his new Yonex stick. To me, Isner and Querrey remain Nadal’s greatest adversaries in his quarter.

Nadal, if anything, has always provided his legion of fans with the courage and intensity that has allowed him to become one of the most prolific tennis players in the modern era. He will need every last bit of his mojo if he is to preserve through the traitorous field in Indian Wells this year.

You’d be hard pressed to find a single player or fan (love him or hate him) that won’t admit that a draw with Nadal’s name present makes for better theatre.

It is for that reason of the greater good that Nadal should reach at least his fifth final four in Indian Wells.

Pick: Nadal

Murray Quarter:

Falling apart and putting it back together has always been Murray’s method of operation. Just when we think the steady Scot is playing too defensive for our liking, a curving forehand winner around the umpire and his water bottle snaps off of his racket. By contrast, just when we feel that Murray is ready to make that defining push to greater pastures and triumph in a Major championship, we’re left with the words, “I can cry like Roger, it’s too bad I can’t play like him.”

Well, here’s the good news for Murray and his Union Jack crew of supporters: The world No. 4 relishes the opportunity to shine in a best of three set format, and he’s proven on countless occasions that he can succeed.

Beginning with a relatively easy draw, Murray could face his first real challenge against either Ivo Karlovic or David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. Neither player will likely defeat Murray, but both players could very test the defending finalist and take a set.

The bottom half of Murray’s quarter consists of “slug-em ’til you drop” Robin Soderling and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Again, both Soderling and Tsonga have shown their skills throughout the past year; both will be coming into Indian Wells tired and slightly injured.

I’d certainly be shocked to see Murray go down before the semifinals, and moreover, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t capture his first Masters 1000 title in the California.

Pick: Murray

Semifinals: Roddick vs. Murray; Nadal vs. Cilic

Finals: Murray vs. Cilic

Champion: Murray

Talk soon, everyone.

DC: Gonzalez Defeats Sela; Carries Chile in Davis Cup Quarterfinals

Chile vs. Israel: Chile wins 3-1

World No. 10 Fernando Gonzalez wasted little time on Monday in sending his native Chile into the quarterfinals of this year’s Davis Cup world group with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Dudi Sela of Israel.

Playing in front of a supportive crowd in Coquimbo, Gonzalez needed two hours and one minute to capture his fourth straight victory over Sela.

Striking five aces and winning 77 percent of his first serve points, Gonzalez also used his potent return game to break the serve of Sela on five occasions.

Defeating Harel Levy on Saturday, Gonzalez continued in his rich tradition of playing his best tennis for this country.

Holing a gold, silver and bronze medal in the summer Olympics, Gonzalez will lead his Chilean team against the Czech Republic in the next round. That tie will be held July 9-11.

The Czech Republic posted a 4-1 victory over Belgium over the weekend.

Gonzalez will not take part in this week’s Indian Wells Masters event in California, electing to stay in Chile to help with earthquake relief efforts.

Gonzalez is currently working on an a charity event for his country, which would take place around the time of the Miami Masters in Florida.

Davis Cup Day 3 Review: Spain and Russia Make Quarterfinals

With three teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the 2010 Davis Cup World Group on Saturday, the remaining five ties (excluding the Chile-Israel tie, who will play their doubles rubber today due to a late start) would highlight Sunday’s reverse singles action.

Let’s now take a look at Sunday’s singles action.

Spain vs. Switzerland: Spain wins 3-1

Spaniard David Ferrer propelled his defending championship squad into a meeting with France in the quarterfinals after dismantling Stanislas Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in two hours, 34 minutes Sunday.

Winning his seventh consecutive match, Ferrer was utterly brilliant in dispatching his formidable Swiss foe. Using his consistent two-handed backhand to move Wawrinka around the court, Ferrer struck 17 winners while winning 74 percent of his first serve points.

Breaking Wawrinka’s serve on seven of 15 occasions, Ferrer went on a rout in the third set after serving out the second set.

Improving to 13-3 in Davis Cup singles competition, Ferrer remains a perfect 9-0 when matches are contested on clay.

The scrappy Spaniard will now travel to Indian Wells, California to participate in the year’s first Masters 1000 event next week.

Nicolas Almagro, who lost to Wawrinka on Friday in the ties first match, will face Marco Chiudinelli in a meaningless fifth “dead” rubber.

The quarterfinal tie between Spain and France will take place July 9-11.

Russia vs. India: Russia wins 3-2

A day after losing the doubles rubber and a point to India, Mikhail Youzhny defeated Somdev Devvarman to boost Russia into the quarterfinal stage of this year’s world group, and a date with either Sweden or Argentina.

Youzhny, who is enjoying some the best form of his veteran career over the past six months, was efficient is dismissing Devvarman 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

“I had to play a bit more aggressively than usual, as it’s tough to play against a guy who doesn’t miss anything,” said Youzhny. “Before the match I knew it could be a dangerous encounter because if he played his best tennis it could be very tough.”

Winning 80 percent of his first serve points, Youznhy struck 49 winners while breaking serve on six of 11 occasions. Devvarman squandered both of his break point opportunities (both in the third set), to fall to 4-5 in Davis Cup singles competition.

“I tried my heart out for every single point, and it’s just frustrating when the guy’s playing so well. I felt like I had a couple of semi chances, but I thought I made some bad decisions and I think that’s what’s frustrating,” said Devvarman.

Rohan Bopanna won the fifth and meaningless rubber against Teimuraz Gabasvili 7-6 (5), 6-4.

The results from the remaining three ties will be posted shortly.

Quotes courtesy of daviscup.com.

DC: Gonzalez, Massu Give Chile Hope; 2-0 Lead

Olympic doubles winners Nicolas Massu and Fernando Gonzalez won emotionally charged singles matches on Saturday over a competitive Israeli squad.

Losing the first set in both encounters, Massu defeated Dudi Sela 4-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, while Gonzalez fought past Harel Levy 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the day’s second match.

The tie, which started a day late because of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake which hit the region last weekend, did not damper the mood of supportive crowd through both matches.

Reflecting on the recent earthquake to hit his country, a hopeful Gonzalez had this to say.

“What has happened today has been very painful. I was in lloca a couple of weeks ago, and now it saddens me a lot to see the impact of the tsunami in that area. I have a lot of hope that all of us together will help to rebuild this country.”

Sunday’s doubles contest will feature Gonzalez and Massu against Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram.

Quote courtesy of daviscup.com.

DC: France Advances to Davis Cup Quarterfinal Over Germany

The strong French tandem of Michael Llodra and Julien Benneteau propelled thier country into the Davis Cup quarterfinal on Saturday by defeating Christopher Kas and Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-1, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.

Adding to the brilliant efforts of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils on Friday, Llodra and Benneteau were in firm control of thier German opponents despite losing the third set.

Llodra and Benneteau had recently faced one another in the Marsielle final before teaming up to win the doubles title.

DC: Defending Champion Spain Up 2-1 over Switzerland

Defending Davis Cup champions Spain edged ahead of Switzerland 2-1 on Saturday, courtesy of Tommy Robredo and Marcel Granollers.

Defeating the Swiss team of Yves Allegro and Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6 (8), 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in two hours and 55 minutes, Spain stands at one away from reaching the quarterfinals.

The two-time defending champions will attempt to put the Swiss team away on Sunday when Davic Ferrer takes on Wawrinka. If a fifth match is required, Nicolas Almagro will battle Marco Chiudineli.

DC: Argentina Pulls Ahead of Sweden 2-1

The dynamic Argentine team of David Nalbandian and Horacio Zeballos upset the home court of Sweden on Saturday during the doubles competition in Davis Cup.

Defeating the Swedish team of Robin Soderling and Robert Lindstedt 6-2, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5), the Argentine team stands at one win away from advancing to the quarterfinals.

Nalbandian, who was not scheduled to particpate in the tie, made the late trip to Stockholm after being sidelined with an abdominal injury.

Day three action in Sweden will feature reverse singles action.

DC: United States Avoids Elimination

The first time team of Bob Bryan and John Isner kept the United States in contention of reaching the quarterfinal stage of the Davis Cup world group on Saturday by defeating Nenad Zimonjic and Janko Tipsarevic 7-6(8), 5-7, 7-6(8), 6-3.

Bob’s twin brother Mike became ill with food poisoning on Friday evening and was unable to play.

“Mike got room service, chicken curry, and at 3am he started to get the shakes and started to vomit, we put him on an IV, he came out to the stadium and tried to practise but shook his head as he knew he couldn’t finish a match,” Bob Bryan said. “I picked John because I wanted to back up that big serve and I think we combined pretty well.”

Bryan and Isner gutted through the three hour and six minute encounter to avoid a 3-0 defeat in Belgrade. Striking 17 winners and winning 70 percent of their first serve points, Bryan and Isner broke their opponents on two of six occasions.

The win for the United States will now put pressure on Isner to battle Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s reverse singles. If Isner can upset Djokovic then Sam Querrey will face Viktor Troicki in the deciding fifth rubber.

Quotes courtesy of daviscup.com.

Davis Cup Day 2 Review: Doubles Action Highlights Saturday’s Play

Saturday’s order of play during seven of the eight Davis Cup world group ties would be highlighted by doubles action. The tie between Chile and Israel would feature singles competition due to the earthquake that hit Chile last Saturday.

Let’s now take a look at Saturday’s results.

Russia vs. India: In Russia

After winning only one set during singles play on Friday, India remained in contention for Sunday’s reverse singles by winning Saturday’s doubles rubber.

The seasoned Indian team of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi stormed to a comprehensive victory over Teimuraz Gabasvili and Igor Kunitsyn 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in 96 minutes.

Breaking the Russian’s serves on five occasions, Paes and Bhupathi won 82 percent of their first serve points while hitting 52 winners.

With Russia leading 2-1 in the weekend’s tie, Sunday’s reverse singles will feature Mikhail Youzhny vs. Somdev Devvarman and Kunitsyn against Rohan Bopanna.

Belgium vs. Czech Republic: In Belgium

The doubles tandem of Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek proved on Saturday that their worth on a doubles court warranted the same merit they received when playing singles.

The defending finalist reached the quarterfinals of the world group draw on day two action when Berdych and Stepanek defeated Steve Darcis and Oliver Rochus 7-6 (0), 6-0, 6-3 in one hour and 56 minutes.

Dismantling their opponents in the first set tiebreak, the mighty Czechs blitzed through the second set without losing a game, while continuing to roll through the third set with one service break in hand.

Darcis and Rochus won a mere 56 percent of their first serve points, while converting on only one of three break points throughout the match.

Winning 85 percent of their first serve points, Berdych and Stepanek struck five aces and hit 34 winners in total.

The defending finalist will now face the winner of Chile and Israel in second-round action.

Croatia vs. Ecuador: In Croatia

The powerful serving duo of Marin Cilic and Ivo Karlovic propelled their Croatian Davis Cup team into the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup on Saturday with a comprehensive 7-6 (3), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Nicolas and Giovanni Lapentti.

Needing two hours and 40 minutes to advance to the quarterfinals, Cilic and Karlovic won 84 percent of their first serve points while breaking serve on three occasions.

Winning singles matches against the Lapentti brothers on Friday, Croatia will now advance to the final eight of this year’s Davis Cup to face either Serbia or the United States.

More to come shortly.

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