KRISTEN’S KOURT: Men’s BNP Paribas Open Final Preview

Written by: Staff on 17th March 2013

KRISTEN'S KOURT: Men's BNP Paribas Open Final Preview

epa03627994 Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his semi-final match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 15 March 2013. Nadal won the match and advanced to the final. EPA/PAUL BUCK |

If there was any doubt going into the 2013 BNP Paribas Open about how Rafael Nadal’s knee would handle the hard courts, all of that should now be gone. In his fourth tournament back after a seven month absence, Nadal finds himself reaching his fourth consecutive final.

The 26-year-old Nadal came to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with absolutely no expectations, which clearly makes for an intriguing lucky charm. It hasn’t been an easy run for the Spaniard, who actually found himself two points from elimination on Wednesday against Ernest Gulbis. He won the battle of the big guns by overcoming Roger Federer in straight sets on Thursday, and then posted an impressive win over Tomas Berdych yesterday to reach his first hard court final since the 2012 Australian Open. And even after these impressive wins, he’s still not expecting anything when he plays for the trophy today.

“[It’s] going to be very difficult final for me…I don’t have nothing to lose after seven months. I did much more than what I dreamed. Today I am just here, and for me is a present to be here.”

Nadal will face off against Juan Martin Del Potro, who is finally appearing healthy again and scored impressive wins over both Andy Murray and world no. 1 Novak Djokovic. It’s been a good week for the country of Argentina, and Del Potro is only adding to that. It’s no secret that the Argentine is a fighter when healthy, and it appears he’s been able to regain that level of play once again. His semifinal matchup against Djokovic was the longest of this year’s tournament, lasting only a few minutes shy of 3 hours – and the Serbian was more than willing to give credit where credit was due.

“He has a big serve; he moves around the court very well for his height; he uses that forehand as a great weapon, you know.” Djokovic said. “Great running forehand, so he’s opening up that side…today I just wasn’t there. My backhand generally wasn’t there. It’s okay, you know. It happens. It’s sport, and I didn’t make it this time.”

That match wasn’t always so one-sided though. Djokovic came out guns blazing in the third set and went up 3-0 very quickly. But Del Potro didn’t let that deter him. In fact, he credits the fans for motivating him to get back in the match.

“I was doing a very good match until the third set, but Novak had the chance to beat me when I was 3-Love,” Del Potro said. “But I come back soon, and that give me a little confidence to come back in that set. Then also the crowd want to watch more tennis and help me to play my best tennis in the end.”

Topics: Indian Wells, Juan Martin Del Potro, Novak Djokovic, PNB paribas open, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych

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kristenmichele says:

March 17, 2013 at 1:00 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: KRISTEN’S KOURT: Men’s BNP Paribas Open Final Preview: http://t.co/p5DxsKlVNu #tennis