The Indian Wells draw was performed today.
Three-time champion (2007, 2009, 2013) Rafael Nadal returns to Indian Wells as the No. 5 seed with a 48-8 record in the desert. After a first round bye, Rafa will face either the winner of a match between Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Guido Pella.
If the draw holds to quarterfinals, we would have:
- Andy Murray vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- Stan Wawrinka vs Dominic Thiem
- Marin Cilic vs Kei Nishikori
- Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Bye
- 2nd round: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Guido Pella
- 3rd round: Fernando Verdasco
- 4th round: Roger Federer
- Quarter-final: Novak Djokovic
- Semi-final: Kei Nishikori
- Final: Andy Murray
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
OMG ANDY IS OUT OF SINGLES
Yes, Margo. What a shock. Seeing most of the top guys were on the other side of the draw I was even thinking that they might as well give him the trophy now and be done with it. Wawrinka seemed to be his greatest , and possibly only , real threat.
But that’s tennis. The unexpected can occur where you least expect it.
Who will win that side now? Wawrinka? Berdych? Monfils? Isner? Thiem?
Or someone else we haven’t considered?
Well that’s why I am perplexed when the media and fans become disgruntled (some get twisted) about a draw. Mind you, of course some draws appear more difficult as this one does for Rafa. Everyone said Andy had an easy peasy draw, yet Andy is out already.
Yes, it’s a guessing game. I was also surprised by Tsonga’s exit. You never can tell who will get the boot next.
I just hope Rafa can bring home the trophy. He can beat them all.
RAFA ROCKS
Does any one know if that potential fourth round will be Tuesday or Wednesday?
Unlikely as Rafa plays his first match against Pella on Monday, March 13.
Let’s hope Rafa is fine. He complained about being sick during the week but is feeling much better. He did not specify the illness. (LA Times)
RAFA ROCKS
More likely on Wednesday, but I am not positive.
RAFA ROCKS
Some interesting doubles results, thus far: Thiem/Kohlschreiber beaten by the Zverev brothers; Wawrinka/Dmitrov beaten by Huey/Mirnyi.
Andy Murray and Dan Evans will challenge Marc and Feliciano Lopez.
RAFA ROCKS
Hi Beverley, funny enough I have just read that this precise minute. Yes his opponent was seeded 112 . Apparently Tomic’s performance was described as ” not his most effortful”. I hope Rafa doesn’t wear himself out ,as I have a feeling he will be doing the work for two out on the court. One thing for sure it’s going to be interesting viewing ,but I have a feeling it’s not going to be something Rafa will be repeating ( hopefully) . You never know Beverley Tomic might surprise us all and step up to the plate . Hi Susie, yep 5 o’clock I can deal with , I’m not usually interested much in the doubles but I am looking forward to Rafa/Tomic , Dimitrov/Wawrinka and Andy) Dan Evans .
Thanks Maria. We may be able to get some good sleep beforehand this time.
Rafa and Tomic are the last pair to play on Friday ,so here in the UK it’s works out that they will be on court 5am Saturday morning 😴😴
Great News it looks like the doubles are being televised ,can’t wait for tomorrow night. Happy to see that smiley umpire Mohamed Lahyani is back on the circuit, I wondered where he had got to . Good luck tomorrow Rafa (you may need it with Tomic)😕
Maria, he certainly needs good luck with Tomic who was defeated by Fratangelo(over 100 in the world rankings) in the very first round of the singles. I don’t know whether this kind of play will appear when he partners Rafa but if they are defeated in the early rounds it will give Rafa more rest time between his singles matches.
All I want to see is Rafa fresh and relaxed and playing his very best in the singles.
Rafa is down to play in the doubles on Friday , I am so hoping it will be televised , but we don’t usually get to see them (UK). Another great double pairing is Tsonga with Goffin and wawrinka with Dimitrov . It’s going to be an exciting week.
You bet it is, Maria (England). You bet it is.
But as always, we’ll see…………hmmmn
That is just a nasty draw… Almost like here Andy here’s the trophy! Whatever happens Rafa will really enjoy himself! From what I understand he stays at Larry Ellison’s mansion & loves playing golf in the desert, so it is a very good time for him. He’s won three times before so VAMOS RAFA! Knock them off one game at a time!
Hmmnn…..wish I could share in your enthusiasm, Sioux!
But, as always, we’ll see…………Hmnnn
There is a heat wave in California and it’s going to be Almost 100° by Tuesday in the desert! This is dangerous weather to play any sport in and we all know that Novak can’t take the heat. Also We had a very wet winter after years of a drought and there will be all kinds of pollen in the air…another hindrance for Novak and his asthma. I’m not wishing this on Novak I’m just reporting what I heard… I actually wish him all the best … Just not against Rafa!
Sioux, I haven’t read anything about Novak in a long time but I thought most of his health issues subsided/disappeared after he started his gluten-free diet. That’s when he started winning big. Is this material you read recent material?
It’s a shame when any athlete is sidelined by injury or illness. I remember reading about Dolgopolov so long ago. He may have gone much further were it not for his illness.
Rafa’s quarter is like a tournament within a tournament. He said to be the best you have to play against the best. I hope he does what I know he can do, because he can.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa looked so crisp during the doubles, ie the latter part of the second set that I caught. A good win for him and Tomic, and a great show for the fans I’m sure.
@Margo, I think the players expend way less energy during doubles than they do in singles. For Rafa it’s him having some good fun, and keeping sharp his net game as well. Also maybe it’s practice time for him too, so instead of hitting the practice court and hitting a million forehands, he gets in a good workout playing doubles and makes some money on the side as well to buy the plane tickets back home or to the next tournament:):)
Wow Maria (England)! Your comment was soooo long! Rather like a news article! It shows your passion but you clearly got carried away. Apologies accepted. I’m not interested in Nick Kyrgios because, although he’s a real talent, he’s been totally disrespectful of the game of tennis, players, spectators and officials from day one. When and if he reforms, casting away his antics, I’ll take interest. I prefer to be entertained by great tennis and a real hunger to win.
Very well said, Lorna and I completely agree! Sport is not just about talent and winning.. it is about sportsmanship and setting a good example. Nobody does that better than Rafael Nadal!
Lorna, I totally agree regarding Kyrgios. As an Australian I hang my head in shame at his behaviour. I don’t care how well he plays he is a disgrace to the tennis world.
It makes one appreciate the sportsmanship of Rafa and those like him who are gentlemen as well as great players.
Interesting draw which should make for some rewarding viewing for us fans.
If Rafa meets Federer and wins, I hope he doesn’t have to play the Djoker, because as much as Djoker may be having problems lately, he will relish a battle against Rafa because he knows that just standing across the net from Rafa is enough to make Rafa’s confidence take a dive.
But first things first… a match at a time I guess. This should be fun!
Which interview was it that Rafa said, “…..he [Novak] knows that just standing across the net from him [Rafa] is enough to make his [Rafa’s] confidence take a dive?” If that were the case, I would stop believing that Rafa can beat Novak, as he has done so many times before.
RAFA ROCKS
Hi Margo… it was an interview on 06/03/2016 on Breitbart ‘News’ that Rafa gave:)
Just kidding of course. I’m just saying… when was the last time Rafa took a set off the Djoker? Djokovic knows this, and Rafa knows this, and it surely features in the dynamics whenever they meet now.
I certainly hope to be proved wrong, and that Rafa has banished those demons inside his head.
Ah Ha! That trusted “news” outlet. LOL
I asked because I felt that Rafa’s lack of confidence was due to a confluence of serious health issues and losing matches, in general. I dread the thought that Novak would have that much power over Rafa. Let’s hope that Breitbart still has it wrong.
If Rafa sticks to his schedule, from here on in, he will have two weeks of rest after Miami. Then it is literally two months of non-stop competition, which culminates with the French Open, May 22-June 11. We all know that he feels he must compete in order to stay “fresh,” but I hope he doesn’t bite off more than he can chew.
I’d like to know your opinion of him playing doubles at IW. Needless to say, I just don’t want him to over tax his body. By the time he retires, I will be prematurely grey.
RAFA ROCKS
Vamos mi Rafa tu eres un verdadero champion, te deseo lo mejor de las suertes y Vamos a ganar Rafa VamooooooooooooooooosRafa
Sorry for the essay 😴