Mar/15
21
Indian Wells Blockbusters: Federer vs. Djokovic, Halep vs. Jankovic
7 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Simona Halep, #3 in the world takes on Jelena Jankovic in the final. Halep is 3-1 career head to head vs. JJ and hasn’t lost to her since first round US Open 2010. JJ is red hot right now, coming off nice wins vs. Keys and Lisicki.
Roger Federer, continues his scorching form, dominating Raonic and Berdych on the way to the final where he will meet ATP #1 Novak Djokovic who lost to Federer in the Dubai final a month ago, though the slower and grittier California courts will favor his game. Djokovic edged Federer in last year’s final 76 in the third.
Djokovic is also looking in top form, after outclassing Andy Murray today.
No tags
Scoop Malinowski · March 21, 2015 at 6:47 pm
Observations: The Great One Wayne Gretzky drove down two hours from LA with Janet Jones to support Missile Milos from Canada. The Great One says Raonic and Genie B have made tennis very popular in Canada. He also said he picks the LA Kings to make the Stanley Cup finals, because he always picks the defending champions. He also like the Rangers in the east. Rossdale and Stefani were there supporting Fed as usual. So was Tommy Haas who will return to tennis next week in Miami, at age 36 after right shoulder problems.
Bryan · March 22, 2015 at 2:43 am
Tommy Haas and Delpo make their comebacks at Miami. Can’t wait.
All my faves busted early at IW so after week 1 I watched more of the women’s matches than mens. Good marquee final for the neutrals though.
Dan Markowitz · March 22, 2015 at 8:19 am
How can you watch women’s matches? Seriously, Scoop, a finals of Halep and Lisicki is kind of interesting, but it’s not a match I’m going to go out of my way to watch. Now that Radwanka can’t win a big match, the woomen’s game has devolved into a monochromatic barrage of big hitters. There’s no style or subtlety. Sorry, just realized its Jankovic in finals. Bigger ugh,
Scoop Malinowski · March 22, 2015 at 5:18 pm
I enjoy to watch Jankovic, she is a character and smiles more than any other player on court, even if she doubles faults to give Halep match point, she smiled about it. Halep is a battler, who is pressing to win her first major, it’s nice to watch her journey to that point. As far as the tennis, yes it’s repetitive baseline counterpunching. Every point was the same. I still like JJ, what a beautiful finalist speech. SHe’s one of my favorites. Halep is a tough player, and a future champion, maybe the next number one after Serena.
Andrew Miller · March 22, 2015 at 5:55 pm
Dan, women’s tennis is tennis. Not like watching Gulbis’ funked out forehand or other players aint got no backhand is joy. I have a hard time watching Harrison – if it werent for the fact that he plays as much for the love of the game as for any other reason i probably woud change the channel to avoid the unneccary and unfortunate choice hE makes to live behind the baseline most matches.
Halep is a clean, fun striker of the ball who hits winners left and right . What is not to like.
Scoop Malinowski · March 22, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Womens tennis is like watching two Vince Spadeas play each other. IT is what it is. You can appreciate if you want to, or whine about it. Appreciate the skills and heart.
Bryan · March 22, 2015 at 7:26 pm
Dan, I watch WTA because I have my favorite women just like in the men’s game. So I stay engaged in both the womens and mens draws at each tournament until all my horses are gone.
That said, neither Djoker or Federer is my guy but this IW final is a sicko match. High level play, crazy momentum swings, both guys making adjustments. Fun tennis.