Men Tennis News Update – Indian Wells

Written by: Staff on 8th March 2013

Men Tennis News Update - Indian Wells

epa03538797 Xavier Malisse of Belgium plays a backhand return during his match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain, round two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 16 January 2013. EPA/MARK DADSWELL AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Indian Wells – Late Thursday

The following matches were completed after our previous edition went out.

Singles – First Round: W Odesnik def. R Bautista Agut 7-5 7-5

Wayne Odesnik is suddenly on a bit of a hot streak. After not winning a match since Kitzbuhel, he has now won his openers at Acapulco and here.

Singles – First Round: R Harrison def. G Soeda 6-0 4-6 6-3

On paper, a small upset. But the local support probably made the difference.

Singles – First Round: (Q) E Gulbis def. F Lopez 6-3 6-2

This is probably the hottest streak of Ernests Gulbis’s streaky career. He costs Feliciano Lopez his chance to return to the Top Thirty.

Singles – First Round: L Hewitt def. L Rosol 6-4 3-6 6-1

Another official upset — but Lleyton Hewitt can still wear opponents down, and few are more susceptible to that than Lukas Rosol.

Singles – First Round: I Dodig def. (Q) G Pella 6-1 6-2

Guido Pella will be right around #100. Above or below? Probably too early to tell.

Singles – First Round: D Istomin def. (Q) V Pospisil 7-6(7-5) 6-3

A decent start for Denis Istomin — but he faces Roger Federer next. And he has fourth round points to defend. Sounds like he will be taking a fall.

Already covered:

Singles – First Round: M Zverev def. J Melzer 3-6 6-3 7-6(7-3)

Another bad shock for Jurgen Melzer. Sure, he’s in a slump — but Mischa Zverev had all but vanished off the face of the earth. Melzer wasn’t defending anything, so he may stay Top Fifty for now — but not much longer at the rate things are going.

Singles – First Round: D Goffin def. V Troicki 4-6 6-3 6-4

The only good news here is that Viktor Troicki lost his opener last round also, so he won’t fall much. But he remains below #40, and he is still in a massive slump.

Singles – First Round: P Lorenzi def. G Muller 7-5 6-4

Paolo Lorenzi just hit the Top Fifty, and this will likely suffice to keep him there.

Singles – First Round: J Nieminen def. I Sijsling 4-6 6-3 6-3

Igor Sijsling spent much of the last year climbing, but suddenly he seems to be stalling a bit. Maybe required and optional is starting to bite a guy who, until now, got to count anything he played….

Singles – First Round: B Tomic def. T Bellucci 6-4 6-3

Thomaz Bellucci made the Round of Sixteen last year, so this is likely to cost him his Top Forty ranking.

Singles – First Round: B Paire def. L Kubot 5-7 7-5 6-2

Benoit Paire hasn’t clinched his Top Forty spot, but it looks very likely.

Singles – First Round: K Anderson def. V Hanescu 7-6(8-6) 6-3

Kevin Anderson’s ranking fell dramatically after Delray Beach; this gives him at least a small start toward rebuilding — although probably not enough to make any difference.

Singles – First Round: L Mayer def. X Malisse 6-2 3-6 6-4

After a couple of years of injuries and stalls, Leonardo Mayer seems finally to be getting back on track. It is possible that this will cost Xavier Malisse his Top Fifty ranking.

Singles – First Round: D Nalbandian def. M Granollers 6-4 6-2

This was perhaps the most significant contest of the first round. Marcel Granollers was the top unseeded player, ranked far above David Nalbandian. But Nalbandian had quarterfinalist points on the line. Nalbandian seemed to be in all sorts of trouble at the start of this, and the first set took a very long time, but Nalbandian pulled it out. Which means that Granollers will probably lose a ranking spot or two — meaning no seeding at Miami either.

Singles – First Round: D Brands def. M Baghdatis 6-0 7-6(7-3)

Daniel Brands really is on fire right now. He leaves Marcos Baghdatis at #35 or lower.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: BNP Paribas tennis news, Denis Istomin, Ernests Gulbis, Feliciano Lopez, Goffin, Igor Sijsling, Indian Wells Tennis Tournament, Jurgen Melzer, Mayer, Sports, Tennis News, Viktor Troicki, Xavier Malisee