Roger Federer in Indian Wells

For a while on Sunday, it looked like Romanian Victor Hanescu looked a party-spoiler for Roger Federer. The 28-year old Swiss star was awarded the ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favorite Player of the Year Award after his second round match in the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Federer also received the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for 2009.

Sunday was a busy day at Indian Wells, highlighted by the top seed’s 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 win over Hanescu. The match was Federer’s first since winning his 16th Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open earlier this year. Hanescu made it interesting by converting on his sixth break point opportunity and working his way to the tiebreaker. He won the set when Federer netted a mid-court volley. Roger made fast work of the third set

Federer will face resurgent Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis in the third round. The 27th seeded Cypriot has been in good form of late, forcing the Swiss to up his game in the next round. Baghdatis held off Frenchman Arnaud Clement in the first set and then cruised through the second in the 7-6 (7), 6-1 win. Clement collapsed in final set, committing 43 unforced errors.

Sunday was a good day for three Americans. 7th seed Andy Roddick, unseeded James Blake and Michael Russell all advanced to the third round. Roddick dispatched Taipei’s Yen-Hsu Lu 6-4, 6-4. Roddick had difficulty holding serve against Lu, a bad sign for future matches. While Roddick has diversified his game, his serve remains his best weapon.

Blake, Roddick’s doubles partner this week, elevated his game to overcome Spain’s 13th seed, David Ferrer, 6-1, 6-4. For Blake the win was a milestone, snapping the Spaniards seven match win streak. The American converted on three of nine break point opportunities in the 62 minute match. The two veterans had only met once before with Blake emerging the victor in the 2002 match as well.

The 31-year old Russell likes Indian Wells. He reached the fourth round in 2006. This year the American was a heavy underdog to 32 seed Igor Andreev, but sprung an unlikely 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 upset against the Russian. Russell next moves on to challenge the somewhat rusty Brit, Andy Murray.

Murray, the 4th seed, who lost to Nadal in the finals last year, won but was not dominant in his match against Italian Andreas Seppi. After an early knockout in Dubai, Murray was sharper in breaking Seppi four times in the 6-4, 6-4 win. Seppi broke back on two occasions. In the end, it was Murray’s ground game and 20 outright winners that sparked the win.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga looked very sharp in putting down Australian qualifier, Marinko Matosevic, 6-1, 6-3. Countryman Gael Monfils was not so fortunate. German Simon Greul sent the struggling Monfils packing in a hard-fought 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 match. Monfils’ inconsistencies have dimmed the star’s ranking.

Rafael Nadal

The upsets and near upsets just keep coming at Indian Wells. And, the fans are liking the highly competitive play. More than 23,300 fans turned out Saturday, setting a new single day record at the BNP Paribas Open. Heavy favorites are taking their hits and struggling to stay alive in the hotly contested early rounds.

Defending champion, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, and world number three is seeking his first tour victory of the year and his third overall title at Indian Wells. Rafa had his serve working on Saturday as he ousted German Rainer Schuettler 6-4, 6-4 in second round action.

Nadal cruised to a 4-0 lead in set one before Schuettler managed his only break of the match. So dominant was Nadal’s serve that he only lost nine service points the rest of the way. Nadal has not won a title since last May and rumors persist that his ailing knees are not up to form. He will face Croatian Mario Ancic in the third round.

The day’s biggest surprise was the fall of iron man Marin Cilic, who could not withstand the pressure applied by Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Cilic served for the first set at 6-5 but was broken. He only managed 13 points the rest of the way in the 7-6 (1), 6-0 loss.

Prior to the match, Cilic had been the tour’s hottest players. His 18-2 won-lost record leads all tour players. However, Cilic seemed to hit the wall against the game Spaniard.

Second seed Novak Djokovic won another three set tussle with American Mardy Fish. Djokovic has made a habit of three set matches lately, claiming four on the way to the Dubai Championship. Fish and Djokovic both showed moments of dominance in the 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 match.

Djokovic is on a nice run with eight straight wins and cannot be counted out at Indian Wells.

American best pals, John Isner and Sam Querrey had the crowd roaring with consecutive wins on Court 2. Isner knocked off Kevin Anderson 6-3, 7-5 while his doubles partner, Querrey, took out Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4. Querrey and Isner will meet for the second time in three weeks in the third round. Querrey was victorious in Memphis in a come-from-behind win.

In Men’s doubles, Americans James Blake and Andy Roddick teamed up to defeat Greta Britain’s top team of And Murray and Ross Hutchins 7-5, 7-6 (5). 6,400 fans surrounded the court for the hard fought match.

Svetlana Kuznetsova in Indian Wells

Svetlana Kuznetsova seems to have trouble in the limelight. Last year, Kuznetsova claimed her second Grand Slam in Paris and played so well that she jumped to number two in the world rankings. The notoriety has not served her well.

Primarily a clay and slow court specialist, Kuznetsova struggles to keep pace on the faster courts. Carla Suarez Navarro capitalized on Kuznetsova’s erratic strategy in upsetting the top seed at Indian Wells, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. It was Kuznetsova’s opening match and marked the first time since 2002 that a tournament top draw lost an opening match. Suarez Navarro will next play streaking Aggie Szavay, who will be favored to win.

After the match the 24-year old Kuznetsova commented, “It’s frustrating because I know I have the game. I feel great. I do practice, play unbelievable and then get to the match and I do not do much.” Kuznetsova was a finalist at Indian Wells in 2007 and 2008, but her 2010 record is a modest 5-5, hardly worthy of a number two world ranking.

Oddsmaker favorite Kim Clijsters racked up her 15th consecutive win at the BNP Paribas Open with a decisive 6-2, 6-1 win over Czechoslovakian Barbora Zahlavova Strycova. Clijsters converted 5 of her 7 break point opportunities. The tour’s 17th ranked player is seeking her 37th tour victory.

Defending Champion Vera Zvonareva, this year’s 12th seed, defeated American Sloane Stephens 6-4, 7-5, who competed well. Zvonareva is playing with confidence on the familiar surface.

Vera will next meet Latvian Anastasija Sevastova who upset favored Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-4. The former number one, Ivanovic, continues to struggle with her serve and seems distracted by her notoriety.

Former champion Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova lost her opening match to Italian Roberta Vinci, 6-3, 7-5. When Hantuchova won at Indian Wells in 2002, it was her first Sony Ericsson WTA title.

In addition to Clijsters, Belgian Yanina Wickmayer advanced to the third round by bouncing German Julia Goerges 6-2, 6-4. Wickmayer raised her 2010 record to 14-3 and is well positioned to mount a stern challenge. Wickmayer will meet Vinci in the third round.

Third seeded Victoria Azarenka opened her tournament with an impressive 6-1, 7-5 win over stubborn Sybille Bammer. Azarenka lost to Zvonareva in the quarters last season, but looks very strong this year. Victoria will be a tough out this time around.

Australian Open and Brisbane finalist Justine Henin could not overcome dangerous Argentine Gisela Dulko who won a see-saw 6-2, 1-6, 6-4 match. The 31st seed was very much in form, while Henin showed a bit of rust from an extended layoff. The serve was the key in this one as Dulko lost all three of her service games in set two only to come up with a key reversal in set three and upset her idol. Henin had won their only previous meeting.

The day’s biggest upset belonged to Great Britain’s sprightly qualifier, Elena Baltcha, who came all the way back from 1-5 in the third to surprise China’s hot-playing 7 seed Na Li. In a fiery 7-6 (6), 2-6, 7-6 (7) 2 hour 50 minute showdown of ball retrieving extraordinaire, Baltcha outlasted her senior opponent.

The win was Baltcha’s first over a top ten opponent and should push her well above her 65th world ranking. Baltcha now moves on to challenge Australian wild card Alicia Molik, who held off Anabel Medina Garrigues, the 29th seed, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (5) in another marathon match. Look for more f the same in the next round.

Russian grunt and groan queen, Maria Sharapova, let her presence be known with a tense victory over a very competitive country mate, Vera Dushevina. Sharapova does not garner the respect she is accustomed to and is viewed as a beatable foe. Dushevina was serving for the match at 5-3, 30-15 in the second before Sharapova found her way and spun off four straight games.

Her 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 2 hour 18 minute win was a good test for Maria, who recently triumphed at Memphis. The long blonde beauty is showing hopeful signs but seems short on championship focus.

Teenager Polona Hercog served notice that she is a star of the future with a solid performance against 11th seeded Marion Bartoli. The French star will next face ageless American Jill Craybas who won by virtue of a Sabine Lisicki retirement in the third set.

Men’s second round action begins today with many of the tour’s heavyweights due to perform.

Melanie Oudin Out At Indian Wells

Melanie Oudin – First Round Casualty

The Cinderella Dream is on hold, at least for another two weeks. Melanie Oudin, who hoped a return to big galleries and American soil would lead her to a repeat of her performance at last year’s U.S. Open became a first round casualty at Indian Wells. Oudin did not have the fuel to stay with Italian upstart Roberta Vinci, who fought back for the 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 triumph.

Once again, Oudin’s serve was extremely vulnerable. Vinci won 5 of a possible twelve break points and captured all three in the final set. In the wake of her quarterfinal upset in Memphis, this loss was particularly bitter for America’s third ranked player.

The diminutive fireball reached the semis in Paris and had a strong Davis Cup performance, but cannot find a consistent serve to pressure opponents. And, Vinci, like most tour players, had the answers for the 75 miles per hour second serves. The Italian now moves on to play 21st seeded, two time champion Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia.

Sixteen-year old American, Sloane Stephens, took the spotlight with her first-ever main-level Tour victory when she turned the tables on 67th ranked Lucie Hradecka of Czechoslovakia. Hradecak made a match of it, storming back in the second set from 2-5 deficit to earn the tiebreaker. The 7-6 (5, 7-6 (7) match took one hour 53 minutes.

Stephens is the 747th ranked tour player and next faces defending champion Vera Zvonareva, who like most of the top players drew a first round bye. Stephens had a successful year on the junior circuit last season.

Justine Henin Storms

Henin Storms

Justine Henin showed no rust on the way to a swift 6-2, 6-2 win over Slovakia’s Magdalena Rybarikova. The match was Henin’s first at Indian Wells in four years. The popular veteran cruised to 4-0 leads in both sets before serving out.

There’s something very positive in Henin’s energy field. As usual, she will be a difficult out for anyone this time around. She has now won 11 of the last twelve matches played at the BNP Paribas Open. Henin next plays 31st seed Gisela Dulko of Argentina, a feisty competitor in her own right.

Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder made fast work of Italian Tathiana Garbin needing just fifty-five minutes to earn a 6-2, 6-1 triumph. Scnyder had five break point chances and won them all.

Russian Vera Dushevina earbned a surprisingly lopsided win over Australia’s Jalena Dokic. After losing the first set 6-0, Dokic made a run but lost the last four games in the 47 minute match.

Tour pretty girls take the court in the second round as Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova and Russia’s newest tennis darling Maria Kirilenko are ready to tee it up. Not too many upsets are on the horizon for the next round, although Ivanovic and Sharapova always make it interesting.

Tournament heavyweights Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka and Yanina Wickmayer will join Henin and Svetlana Kuznetsova in round two. The tournament winner is likely to come from this group.

Word number one, Roger Federer, the man with all the Grand Slam records, including this year’s Australian Open has a first round bye, like all the top seeds. After that, things get interesting in a hurry.

Assuming form holds, the Swiss star will face resurgent Cypriot, Marcos Baghdatis, in the third round. Baghdatis is fresh from a three set final appearance against Novak Djokovic in Dubai, a match Marcos felt he should have won. If Federer is rusty, Baghdatis could throw a fly in the ointment.

17th ranked Czech star Radek Stepanek may be looming in the fourth round. Stepanek is 2-8 against Federer lifetime. The most likely quarter final opponent will be 7th seeded American Andy Roddick, who fought Roger Federer tooth and nail at Wimbledon last year in a memorable five set finals.

The most likely semifinal opponent will be this year’s Australian Open finalist, Britain’s Grand Slam wannabe Andy Murray, who showed plenty of rust in a lackluster Dubai performance. Murray should survive to the fourth round where hard serving Ivo Karlovic or ball-hawking David Ferrer will be lurking.

Murray will be more sternly tested against the winner of Jo Willfried Tsonga or 8th seed Robin Soderling, who is always dangerous and very much in form. Soderling will be a tough 5th round pairing for Murray.

The bottom half of the draw is loaded with talent and upset potential. 6th seed Nikolay Davydenko will be seeking to dismantle defending champ Rafa Nadal and then eventually through Federer in the finals for the third time in six months. The lofty goal may meet some resistance along the way. Davydenko will have to play through Viktor Troicki and Fernando Verdasco before he reached the winner of John Isner and 3rd seeded Nadal. Isner does not back off any match and appears a big star of the future.

2nd seed Novak Djokovic may have the easiest path to the quarters, where formidable foe Marin Cilic will undoubtedly be waiting. The Djokovic- Cilic winner will run head first into the Davydenko – Nadal victor.

Djokovic is fresh from the Dubai championship and a Davis Cup quarter final win with his pal Troicki. Of late, the Serb has made a habit of engaging in three set matches. He may be ripe for a Cilic upset.

Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia

The 2010 Paribas Open in Indian Wells California is ready to go with many of the game’s top stars competing for more than $3.6 million in prize money. Women’s play begins today, March10th. Svetlana Kuznetsova is the top seed. Dane Caroline Wozniacki pulls seed number 2 followed by fast-rising Victoria Azarenka and Elena Dementieva. The tournaments favorites are a pair of Belgians, Kim Clijsters, last year’s U.S. Open Champions and seven time Grand Slam winner Justine Henin.

The really good news is that while they are not among the top seeds, the top Belgians are in different halves of the draw. It seems likely that this year’s Indian Wells victor will have to play through one or both of these experienced competitors.

Despite the absence of heavyweights Serena and Venus Williams, Indian Wells shapes up to be the most balanced, most competitive tourney of the year. Henin, with two final appearances this year and Clijsters with one championship under her belt, add respectability to every draw.

In the top bracket, Kuznetsova will most likely have to play through Agnes Szavay in the third round before meeting the Kleybanova-Clijsters winner in the fourth round. That is no easy path to the quarters. Szavay has been on a roll of late almost upsetting Elena Dementieva in the finals at Rotterdam. Clijsters has a 7-1 career record against Svetlana and is the more successful hard court player.

The lower quarter of the upper bracket is fairly weak. Flavia Pennetta is favored to knock off sixth seeded Jalena Jankovic, if the struggling Serb arrives at the fourth round.

Victoria Azarenka should have little resistance moving to an intriguing fourth round pairing with another 20-year old hard hitter, Belgian slammer Yanina Wickmayer. Wickmayer may meet some resistance from either up and down performer Melanie Oudin or battling Daniela Hantuchova. A win over Hantuchova would be a feather in Oudin’s cap, helping her to climb up the ladder.

8th seeded Samantha Stosur highlights the bottom quarter of the upper bracket. Stosur will draw last year’s champion Vera Zvonareva, with the winner moving on to challenge the Azarenka-Wickmayer winner in the quarters. Zvonareva will have to play through Serb, Ana Ivanovic, if the pretty girl gets out of her bathing suit and back into tennis.

The two headliners in the upper bracket of the bottom draw are 6th seeded Agnes Radwanska and 4th seeded Elena Dementieva. Looming in the wings for Agnes is the formidable Henin, a probable third round match. The winner of that match will most likely draw Marion Bartoli in the fourth round. Dementieva appears to have the smoothest ride to the quarters, but her serving inconsistencies can create some disturbing losses.

Ion the bottom bracket of the lower draw, there are a bevy of tour glamour girls. 2nd seeded Wozniacki heads the crop with Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko in the mix. Wozniacki has been unable to gain her 2009 form. The likely survivor will probably be either hard-charging Nadia Petrova or steady retriever Na Li, who is fast moving up the ranking’s ladder.

It is easy to build a case for both favorites. Nadal has played in five French Opens and won four of them. Henin has also won four tournaments at Roland Garros. She has entered the tournament eight times. Nadal boasts six Grand Slam titles, Henin seven.

Apparently, since returning to the tour, Henin has impressed everyone except the tour’s hierarchy. That’s the hierarchy that ranks Dinara Safina second, Caroline Wozniacki fourth and Kim Clijsters 17th. Help!

On the men’s side, the Great One, Roger Federer, winner of last year’s tournament, is listed at 9/4 with rising star Juan Martin Del Potro, at 4/1, just ahead of Novak Djokovic at 7/1 and Andy Murray at 8/1.

The ever dangerous Nikolay Davydenko, who has been in form and holds an impressive clay court record is at 10/1. Then, there is a serious drop-off.

Fernando Verdasco is 33/1. Cilic, Soderling and Frenchman Gael Monfils are at 50/1. That pretty much highlights the imbalance on the men’s tour. The best players win the big events. The top six players are all at 10/1 or less and then there is a big dip to the next tier. The slow clay favors those that can cover the court, stay on the court and deploy tactical strategy.

With the return of Clijsters and Henin, there is much more balance on the women’s side. While Henin is the prohibitive favorite at 5/4, Serena Williams and Clijsters are at 6/1. Last year’s upset winner, Svetlana Kuznetsova, is at 13/2 with hard-hitting Victoria Azarenka at 10/1. Wozniacki, the fourth ranked faltering Dane is at 13/1.

Somehow Dinara Safina is at 14/1 along with graceful Elena Dementieva. Venus Williams and the third Belgian star, Yanina Wickmayer, are at 20/1. Wickmayer just might be a good longshot play, but the champ looks to be coming from the elite list of favorites. Azarenka has had some success on clay but usually the slower surface hurts she and Wickmayer, but they are very young and in great form.

This year’s French Open boasts a much improved field this time around. The fleet afoot will prevail. If Nadal is healthy, there is not a better retriever and impossible shot-maker in the game. Bon chance!

Nikolay Davydenko of Russia

Nikolay Davydenko and Andy Murray share the distinction of being the two best players on the professional circuit without a Grand Slam Championship to their credit. That is no easy cross to bear.  While the flashy Murray gets loads of criticism, Davydenko’s resume shortcoming goes relatively unnoticed.  But, time is running out for the talented Russian.

His resume is impressive.  At age 29, the 5’10” strategist and all court player has little to prove, but that first major would make a good career into a great career.

This is a man who has won more than $16 million on tour since 1999, compiled 20 tour victories and won the last 6 ATP finals in which he has played.  He also has the impressive distinction of only being the second player to put away Roger Federer and Nadal in successive tournaments.  No easy task.

In winning in Doha to stat the 2010 season, Davydenko rallied from an 0-6 first set to overtake Nadal, an almost impossible task.  The win was the first time in 338 matches that he had come back from an 0-6 hole.  It was only the tenth time Davydenko had lost a love set since his professional debut.  Now, that’s consistency.

Nikolay’s career record stands at 388 – 233.  He has won 107 tiebreakers and lost 88.  His ATP finals record is an impressive 20 –5. Heading into Indian Wells, he stands at 13-3 in 2010.

It seemed Davydenko had eventual winner Roger Federer on the ropes again in Melbourne.  Up a set and with a break at 2-0, his remarkable run looked to be continuing.  But, just as quickly as he burst from the gate, Federer turned the tables.  Inexplicably, Davydenko began to spray shots and commit uncharacteristic errors in strategy and execution.

These periods of erratic play have blemished an otherwise stellar career.  Surprisingly, Davydenko is equally effective on clay as he is on the harder surfaces.  His clay record is 164 – 88.  On the hard courts, he stands at 184-112.

2006 was the Russian’s finest year.  He compiled 69 match triumphs and won 5 ATP titles.  He reached the quarterfinals or better in 15 of his 32 tournaments.

Perhaps his best win in 2009 was the Barclay’s ATP Tour Finals in a stirring match against Juan Martin del Potro.  He finished the year in the top 6 for the fifth consecutive year.

Davydenko is dangerous.  He has the experience to identify the opposition’s weaknesses and the skills to exploit those flaws.  His multi-dimensional strengths far outweigh his very few weaknesses.  He is serving as well as he ever has and could score at Indian Wells.  Never count this guy out!

Victoria Azarenka

There is no need to worry about 20-year old Victoria Azarenka, who grunts for release.  Do not bother that in her four years on the tour, she has not won a Grand Slam Event.  Not to fear.  The pretty, queen-to-be has succeeded at every level since joining the IT Tour in 2003.

Most would say, Victoria has it all.  Her many international fans are just waiting for that one big signature win in a major event.  She has come close on two occasions, the 2009 Runner-up finish at Paris and this year’s semifinal loss in Melbourne.  It seems Victoria has everything she needs on the court except that one necessary intangible, the ability to close clutch matches.

She has earned the reputation as the player that can beat anyone – before the final round.  But, then again, she is just 20 years old, in great shape and easing to the eyes as well.

Despite some high-profile losses, Victoria has earned five tour championships and has earned more money than her 19-year old Danish rival and world’s fourth ranked player Caroline Wozniacki.  Azarenka is certainly playing some of the best tennis on the tour this season and looms as a force to be reckoned with at Indian Wells later this month.

In her very first year on the tour, the blonde bomber played in all four majors, gaining the 3rd round at the U.S. Open.  Entering 2007, tour players were not sure what to make of the loudest competitor.  Victoria’s characteristic “grunt” as she struck the ball gained media, fan and player attention.  At 17 years old the 5’9” beauty found herself squarely in the middle of a continuing tour controversy.

The controversy did not slow her down.  In fact, it just may have made the fierce competitor even more determined.  In just her second year, she claimed two tour titles, finished runner-up twice and was on her way to stardom.  She won the Mixed Doubles Championship at the U.S. Open and broke into the top fifty.  Victoria had arrived and people took notice.

2008 was a bit more difficult.  Victoria forged her way into the top twenty with no singles crowns but on the back of very consistent play.  She reached the fourth round at Roland Garros.  More importantly, she was losing to the right players and winning matches she was favored to win.

In 2009, her dazzling power seemed to intensify.  Having recovered nicely from knee surgery, Victoria seemed stronger than ever.  She took dead aim at some of the tour’s beauty queens and one-by-one moved up the ladder, reaching the top ten early in the year.  Azarenka rode a 24-2 start to climb to number 7.  Now everyone’s eyes were open.  She would no longer surprise opponents.   She was favored in most matches and competitive in all.

But, her runner-up finish in Paris, third round appearances at Melbourne and London were disappointments.  Along with success came expectations.  And the fans now mimicked her grunt.  Distractions began to mount.

Her fast start gained her the Brisbane title, the Memphis title and the prestigious Miami title before March had ended.  Toward the end of the year, she seemed fatigued and less consistent and, frankly, a littler annoyed.  She suffered some disappointing knockouts.

Coach Sam Sumyk certainly found the key in the off season.  Victoria stormed out of the gates at Melbourne and had eventual winner Serena Williams on the ropes in the semis.  Her runner-up position in Dubai was a solid performance, but she came up short against Venus Williams.  Her career won-lost record stands at an impressive 193-88.

One of these days, and probably sooner rather than later, Victoria is going to finish a match against one of the Williams girls.  Then, watch out.  This woman is moving north on the ladder and with the inconsistent play of Safina (2), Wozniacki (4) and even Kuznetsova (3) seems the more troublesome opponent.  We look for Victoria to reach the finals at Indian Wells.  This just may be her coming out party.