Max “The Beast” Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Julien Benneteau 7-6(7), 6-3

Written by: Staff on 19th March 2012

Max "The Beast" Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Julien Benneteau 7-6(7), 6-3 |

Indian Wells, CA – Evening session fans were treated to a world-class display of doubles talent and skills as Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor faced off against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Julien Benneteau. During the first set, both teams were evenly match and held serve until they were forced to play a tiebreaker. Using all kinds of formations like i-formation, classic straight up stance, and a little in between, Mirnyi/Nestor were able to save a set point and win the tiebreak 9-7. In the most crucial moments of the tiebreak, Mirnyi and Nestor remained solid except for one point at 6all when Benneteau was able to frame a return and put up an awkward lob that sent Mirnyi off balance. But down set point, Mirnyi/Nestor brought both Frenchmen to net and exposed their volley skills. The Frenchmen produced some sensational drop volleys when their opponents were on the baseline, but when they’re forced to play straight up and go through their opponents at net, both of their wrists go weak and their Babolat rackets get flimsy in their hands.

Mirnyi/Nestor would then go up 4-0 in the second set as Tsonga showed signs of fatigue and a sore shoulder (earned from his disappointing loss to Nalbandian earlier in the day). But in a strange sequence of events, Nestor blinked at net on a few volleys during Mirnyi’s serve and the Frenchmen gained one of the breaks back. Cries of support for Max and Daniel to showcase why they’re one of the top doubles teams in the world fueled the duo to increase their intensity. Mirnyi, “The Beast”, then brought the hammer down on a few overheads and returns and earned himself and Nestor a chance to win the match at 5-3 with a deciding point. Nestor returned a beautiful backhand which Benneteau (who was at net) volleyed well but happened to clip the net tape with. Mirnyi sprang into action from behind the baseline and rushed up to hit over his backhand. As Benneteau braced himself for impact, Mirnyi deftly opened his racket face and bunted a lob up in the air over the 6’1″ Benneteau. Completely surprised, Benneteau scrambled back and tried to angle a lob towards the opposite deuce corner, despite everyone’s first inkling that he was going to try a flamboyant French tweener. It landed just wide and Mirnyi let loose another smile towards Nestor as he jogged up to the net to shake hands.

“The Beast” and Nestor will now have the tall task of playing John Isner and Sam Querrey in the semifinals on Friday, March 16th.

Editor’s Note: Max is a great friend of the site!