There have been some fantastic draws over the years but the 2017 BNP Paribas men’s draw may be the most fascinating one in a long while. Barring upsets the mouth-watering match-ups will begin very early at this year’s Indian Wells classic.
2017 Australian Open final combatants Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer could meet in the round of 16, while Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro could battle again (for the second time in two weeks) in the third round. All four former Grand Slam champions have been drawn into the same talent-packed quarter of the draw, along with Nick Kyrgios (could face either Djokovic or Del Potro in the quarterfinals). Oh and guess what? Kyrgios could lock horns with fellow NEXT GEN juggernaut Alexander Zverev in the third round.
The second-seeded but struggling Djokovic (five Indian Wells titles including the last three) could face Portugal’s Gastao Elias or England’s Kyle Edmund after his first round bye, and the No.9-seeded Australian Open king Federer (four Indian Wells titles – 2012, 2007, 2006, 2004) could face Israel’s Dudi Sela or France’s Stephane Robert in the second round.
The No. 6 seed Nadal will face either Argentina’s Guido Pella or fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the second round, while Del Potro could face Argentina’s southpaw Federico Delbonis or Russian Andrey Kuznetsov.
The top-seed Andy Murray (who has never won the title at the BNP Paribas Open) appears to have a far safer passage in the top half. The world No. 1 could face a qualifier or Yen-Hsun Lu in the second round, struggling Feliciano Lopez in the third round and No. 16 seed Roberto Bautista-Agut in the round of 16 barring any upsets. Most interesting of the first round matches are: Donald Young vs WC Stefan Kozlov, WC Taylor Fritz vs Benoit Paire, Ryan Harrison vs Damir Dzumhur.
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Chazz · March 8, 2017 at 9:50 am
Djoker better watch out for Edmund. That could be a tough match for him.
Scoop Malinowski · March 8, 2017 at 10:12 am
Agree Chazz – but Djokovic has not had a bad early loss in IW since 2006 his first year playing there – he goes consistently deep into the draw there – he’s had excellent consistent success in IW Rome and Shanghai – Edmund has the power to knock Djokovic off the court so Djokovic better be ready for a hard match – An early round loss could spell doom for his chance at no 1 as he will lose a lot of points as defending champ –
Dan Markowitz · March 8, 2017 at 5:29 pm
That Dzhumur is a tough out. That’s going to be a good match. Kyrgios v Zverev is definitely a popcorn match.
Chazz · March 8, 2017 at 8:08 pm
Pretty cool – Sock and Isner are playing doubles at IW. They drew the #1 seed Herbert/Mahut in the first round. Lots of top 20 singles players scattered throughout the doubles field including Djokovic, Nadal, Murray, Wawrinka.
Scoop Malinowski · March 8, 2017 at 8:16 pm
Interesting doubles teams: Paes with Delpp – Johnson and Pospisil – Dimitrov and Wawrinka – Andy murray and Dan Evans Djokovic and Troicki – Kyrgios and Zimonic = Paes sounded like a guy who was ready to retire in January but I saw him in Delray and he looks as serious as ever – playing with Delpo would suggest Paes is not ready to ride off into the sunset just yet – How and when Paes decides to exit professional tennis will be very interesting because he’s an incredible ambassador and he’s been around forever (turned pro in 91 which is one year before I first started to cover pro tennis with my first press credentials)
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 6:29 am
IW is having a daily podcast and it is a good way to hear what is happening there. I guess there weren’t a lot of matches to discuss in the first episode so they talked to Andy Murray about what a fan should watch and he suggested the practice courts to see the players close up and perhaps even hear them talk with their coaches. Asked about what he would take to a desert island he was predictable, saying his wife, daughter and dogs. But Angie was a woman after my own heart – she said a book and coffee.
catherine bell · March 9, 2017 at 7:50 am
Hartt-
Ah but which book did Angie choose ? And is she a player who READS ?
Have you ever hear Desert Island Discs which is on radio in UK ? They haven’t had Andy on yet but probably will. On DID you aren’t allopwed to take the Bible or Shakespeare !!
Scoop Malinowski · March 9, 2017 at 7:55 am
Which book would Kerber take? Facing Federer or DH Lawrence? 🙂
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 8:03 am
If Angie were smart she would take Facing Federer!
Andy was asked another question about books and movies and he admitted, yet again, that he doesn’t read. I am so disappointed in him for that. He mentioned The Thomas Crown Affair as one of the films – interesting that he chose an old movie.
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 8:05 am
Catherine, the CBC here used to have the same idea as Desert Island Discs and I always enjoyed that program. Unfortunately, it seems to have disappeared.
catherine bell · March 9, 2017 at 8:15 am
The Thomas Crown Affair, such sixties tosh 🙂
– a totally silly film as I recall with a nonsensical theme tune tune sung by, amongst others, The One and Only Dusty Springfield.
But an odd choice for Andy.
Hartt – your longing for a book-loving tennis player is going to be largely unfulfilled I fear.
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 8:36 am
The wonders of the internet. I found Desert Island Discs online. I am not familiar with most of the guests but did listen to some of the David Beckham episode, and was impressed that his first choice was Ella Fitzgerald. I am a huge Ella fan, have been playing her songs every day in honour of the upcoming 100th anniversary of her birth. Was lucky enough to see her perform live a couple times. Will have another look at DID when I have more time.
Petkovic is a serious reader, she cites Goethe as one of her favourite authors. Raonic reads a lot but, true to form, mostly non-fiction. I think Gulbis is a reader but would need to check on that. Am certain there are others, I just need to find them!
catherine bell · March 9, 2017 at 9:20 am
Petkovic is a friend of Angie’s apparently – maybe reading is one of their shared interests. Several(non-literary) Germans I’ve heard cite Goethe as a favourite writer – I wonder if it’s true. Like claiming
Shakespeare as preferred reading matter 🙂
Didn’t know it was Ella’s 100th. I admire her but probably prefer Billie Holiday, her early career. You’re lucky to have seen Ella live.
Beckham’s DID was slagged off by some snobbish people but I thought he was a good guest and deserved his place. I remember Roy Plomley, who started the program I don’t know how many years ago.
The soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf made history by choosing all her own songs !!
BTW my note about Dusty Springfield, you might not know her, wasn’t supposed to be flippant. The song is not much but Dusty is one of my favourite singers – I even wrote a (very) short book about her music. (I’m not musical myself)
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 10:17 am
Catherine, you are such a cynic! I have faith that Petko has actually read Goethe. 🙂
I remember Dusty Springfield; I used to enjoy her music although have not heard her sing for years. Was it fun to write a book about her?
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 10:37 am
Had a quick look at Dusty Springfield on Youtube and had to bookmark the page because am about to go out. But of course I had to listen to “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” before heading out. Talk about nostalgia. 🙂
catherine bell · March 9, 2017 at 10:46 am
Ha ha – I did German at school but failed to shine (all those verbs !) – we read some of Goethe’s lyric poetry but did not venture into Faust etc. Petko has undoubtably read Goethe – wonder if she carries his works around with her on tour ? Maybe the Germans have reading groups 🙂
Dusty S died in 1999 – almost forgotten now which is a shame. She was like no other singer – couldn’t categorise. She hung around tennis in the early 70s, in the US, but her career was basically in the cart and it wasn’t a happy experience for anyone.
I wrote about Dusty after I met an American writer who did a music-based book on her a few years ago. Mine is a series of short pieces really – as a listener who isn’t musically trained. Nothing about her personal life. Interesting to do and nostalgic hearing some of those sixties hits.
catherine bell · March 9, 2017 at 10:51 am
Just saw your note – there’s not much good Dusty on Youtube, she wasn’t at her best live. A comprehensive compilation is one done by Readers Digest but some great songs were never released. You Don’t Have to Say…..basically wrecked her voice.
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Sorry to hear that the song basically wrecked her voice because the voice was what made her special. Once I discovered jazz did not pay much attention to popular music so it’s unusual that she was on my radar then. It’s interesting that she hung around tennis for a while.
Scoop Malinowski · March 9, 2017 at 7:56 pm
Dusty Springfield – have not heard of her in years and years – your discussion has sparked curiosity to go to you tube – Big fan of UK 80s pop especially Wham! Duran Duran Level 42 Allison moyet Blow monkeys Bananarama ABC Flock of Seagulls – I could go on and on 🙂
Andrew Miller · March 9, 2017 at 8:44 pm
US next Gen demolished in qualies and rd 1. This is a vets market! We have to believe what Stathovsky said – we don’t do any young player favors by praising or providing wildcards. It’s completely counterproductive. It was bad for Harrison, bad for DY, and clearly bad for today’s next generation of players.
Harrison and DY and Sock and Johnson all fought the good fight to get here. Those guys will too and their management teams have to stop counseling in favor of not earning their way into tournaments.
It’s not working.
Andrew Miller · March 9, 2017 at 8:45 pm
Scoop get Lloyd Carroll in there!
Hartt · March 9, 2017 at 8:58 pm
I agree that giving young players WCs is counterproductive. Today Tiafoe lost to Lajovic who had match toughness through playing the qualies. I think the young players gain valuable experience by playing the qualies, and if they get to the MD that way they know they have earned their spot.
Chazz · March 9, 2017 at 9:47 pm
I watched a fair amount of the Tiafoe match, the most I’ve watched of him. He was just inconsistent but has a bright future. That forehand reminds me a bit of Sock’s. He’s also a fighter, which as any tennis fan knows is a great attribute. I became a fan today and look forward to watching him in the years to come.
Andrew Miller · March 9, 2017 at 11:08 pm
I enjoy watching Tiafoe, his backhand has also improved considerably and he plays with flair. Lajovic is a fine player who you have to beat, standard vet.
I don’t suggest to write off the next generation. Only two observations, first they need to work on their games. Second the hype isn’t helping, they aren’t battle tested enough to rip through the first rounds of a major event. Ready to win.
Andrew Miller · March 9, 2017 at 11:15 pm
Pro tennis is brutal. A player I like just got wiped out by Monica Puig, who I keep referring to as Puente. It’s Puig. Danielle Collins. Two time NCAA champ like Lisa Raymond.
catherine bell · March 10, 2017 at 2:45 am
Bouchard gone already. New coach please 🙂
Note: Roumania v GB in Fed Cup – Simona will play and it will be in Constanta, her home town. So out goes GB.
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2017 at 7:46 am
Andrew: I will deliver the memo to Lloyd to do his thing at the US Open later this year – He will hopefully be a busy man at US Open press conferences for US players in September 🙂 But knowing The Lloydster he does not work for free and hopefully Katrina Adams and the USTA can negotiate an advantageous deal for all parties 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2017 at 7:48 am
True Hartt: Wildcards can help but also hurt – Johnson didn’t get many and look at where he is now – Let’s wait and see how the rest of the US wildcards do – Fratangelo made good on his with a blowout win vs Tomic who is really struggling badly right now – I believe Tomic is now on the outs of the Davis Cup team for backing out of playing the last tie – Tomic is a mess right now –
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2017 at 7:49 am
Courier said that he can see top ten potential for Tiafoe – Courier is very impressed by Tiafoe’s long term potential and his work ethic – no shame in losing to Lajovic who is no pushover –
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2017 at 7:51 am
Puig is looking great again – Puig said after the match the last time she played Collins was when they were around ten years old – That’s a long gap between – Last year I played a tournament match against a guy I had not played in fifteen years! And we both got better and it was very similar to the last match we played – good battle –
Scoop Malinowski · March 10, 2017 at 7:52 am
Bouchard is Kournikoving her career – seems more interested in peripheral activities than dedicating all her energies and focus towards becoming a better player –
Hartt · March 10, 2017 at 9:16 am
Poor Vasek Pospisil. He finally gets through qualies and a tough 1R match only to face Andy Murray next.
Andrew Miller · March 10, 2017 at 9:22 am
That’s not my impression of Bouchard! Maybe she should get some dubs in to add more dimensions to her game. She was buff in Ausrralia and gave Coco her hardest test until Venus Williams beat Coco. My guess is low confidence based on zilch momentum.
Yes Collins got wiped out. I don’t think this means much foR Puig, but it’s a signal for Collins to work on her game with someone who can sharpen it up. She has good instincts but may not be fast enough against a tour that prizes speed. And glamour for glossy brochures 🙁
Or just head over to the euro challenger tour. They are producing all the best players of the wta.
Andrew Miller · March 10, 2017 at 9:52 am
Dzumhur d Harrison 7-5 in third. Dang! Two earliest exits in a row for Harrison. He will say goodbye to the top fifty for now. Tough sport.
Andrew Miller · March 10, 2017 at 9:53 am
Tsuernko, who won a title last week, out in first round!
Chazz · March 10, 2017 at 10:09 am
Donna Vekic looked great though. 😉
Jg · March 10, 2017 at 10:33 am
Lajovic was in a complete zone, I can’t believe he has played that well in years, looks like his best ranking is around 50 several years ago.