I will not bother ATP stat master Greg Sharko to confirm this odd observation but there will be a perhaps unofficial record of 19 first time matchups in the second round of the Masters 1000 BNP Paribas Open today and tomorrow. The most interesting – and longest awaited one will be between 36 year old Andy Murray and 31 year old Pablo Carreno Busta. Murray turned pro in 2005, Busta in 2009.
Yesterday Murray survived another signature marathon by beating Tomas Martin Etchevarry 64 in the third set and now will play Pablo Carreno Busta in what will be their first ever ATP meeting between the two veterans.
There are 18 other first-time, second round duels at Indian Wells…
Kokkinakis vs Alcaraz
Hijikata vs Baez
Felix vs Pedro Martinez
Sock vs Francisco Cerundolo
Gasquet vs Sinner
McDonald vs Rune
Nakashima vs Medvedev
Wawrinka vs Kecmanovic
Nishioka vs Garin who are a year apart at 27 and 26.
Kubler vs Dimitrov
Cressy vs Tabilo (though Cressy won both Challenger meetings)
Norrie vs Tung-Lin Wu
Yibing Wu vs Fokina Davidovich
Zverev vs Cachin
Draper vs Evans
Pella vs Griekspoor
Mannarino vs Musetti
Fritz vs Shelton
At least there will be a few second round rivalries with a little history – Otte is 1-0 vs Khachanov. Shapovalov is 3-1 vs Humbert. Tiafoe is 2-1 vs Giron. Tsitsipas is 2-0 vs Thompson. Berrettini is 3-1 vs Taro Daniel. Rublev vs Lehecka are 1-1. de Minaur is 2-0 vs Fucsovics. Paul is 3-0 vs Struff. And Schwartzman is 5-3 vs Ruud.
Andy Murray · BNP Paribas Open · Carlos Alcaraz · Indian Wells · Richard Gasquet · Taylor Fritz
Cory · March 10, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Mannarino what a win last night. I remember many of his battles with Thiem. The latter so talented but out of form… Mannarino keeps trucking. King of 2nd & 3rd round appearances… waiting for him to make that big move in a 1000 or slam (or even 500). Tricky lefty lots of slice and variation. Fan of his style always liked him. Musetti coming off horrendous clay stint…. Mannarino should be able to take him but of course Musetti when “on” will beat Adrian.
Cory · March 10, 2023 at 3:17 pm
Also don’t look past Thompson here! He’s got the stuff – if Tsisipas has a mediocre day it could be curtains!
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2023 at 4:18 pm
Cory I saw only the highlights and was very surprised by the emotional reaction by Mannarino after the last point, he did a very uncustomary roar and snarl and even seemed to be almost trash talking, it looked like he was yelling something like, “that’s what the F ima talkin about!!! Ya here me yo?! This is the new Adrian Mannarino, no more beta male bashful guy BS from me yo, now you gonna see the Adrian Mannarino BEAST MODE from here on out!”Loed seeing Mannarino act like this, he can play with anyone and I think beat 90% of the ATP, if his heads on the right way.
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2023 at 4:19 pm
Cory I like Thompson and we did a Biofile last year at Sarasota Open before he pulled out with injury, but you are officially the first person to ever hype up Thompson’s chances. We’ll see if you are Corystradamus or something. )
Scoop Malinowski · March 11, 2023 at 9:08 pm
Cory’s curtains closed on Stefanos, brilliant call there.