2021 BNP Paribas Open...ATP 1000...Indian Wells, California

[jimlosaltos]

Well, this year's Indian Wells, the world's 5th biggest tournament so we are told, offers a peek into the future of tennis without the big 3: tennis tournaments where any Tom, Dick, or Harry could get to the final.

In fairness, moving Indian Wells to October, while a big plus for players' incomes ($19 Million prize money despite less than 1/2 attendance, 65% of series ticket holders from 2020 opted to roll over their reservations to 2022) combined with the greater stress of travel this last year, left many of the contenders burned out. Medvedev just dropped out of his home-town tournament citing fatigue and niggling injuries. Djokovic seems to be hiding in his hyperbaric chamber, or some such.

Hold the event on time next March and (fingers crossed) you'll more top players and healthier players. Now, if they can just speed up the friggin' court.

[stotty]

Well, this year's Indian Wells, the world's 5th biggest tournament so we are told, offers a peek into the future of tennis without the big 3: tennis tournaments where any Tom, Dick, or Harry could get to the final.

[stroke]

Bash get through in 2. He deserved it. Nobody can hit winners like Bash.

[stroke]

It's strange watching Dimitrov versus Norrie. One has tried to replicate Roger while the other has replicated Nadal. At the moment Nadal is winning easily while the other needs the real Roger to step in to rescue the situation.

Yes that is true, Roger lite vs Nadal lite.

[stotty]

It's strange watching Dimitrov versus Norrie. One has tried to replicate Roger while the other has replicated Nadal. At the moment Nadal is winning easily while the other needs the real Roger to step in to rescue the situation.

[stotty]

I think I like Fritz to win this tournament at this point. I have long thought he would break through at some point.

Well he has as good a chance as anyone. And he certainly had a terrific second set versus Zverez. Not sure he should won the third but Zverez wobbled so badly serving to close out that Fritz found himself let back in.

Norrie 'the bruiser' is off to a good start versus Dimitrov, leading 3-0 in the first.

[stroke]

I think I like Fritz to win this tournament at this point. I have long thought he would break through at some point.

[stroke]

I missed the Bash/Stef match but Zverez took the first set handily against Fritz and must be strong favourite to win the tournament, although the term 'strong favourite' might become a thing of the past once the big three exit the game. You feel the next generation will be winning and losing to each other rather frequently.

Fritz goes 3-1 up in the second. Really going for his shots now and coming up trumps.

I don't think there is any question much about that. What the 3 did in Master's 1000's(particularly Novak and Nadal) is every bit as impressive as their Major dominance to me. We never saw it before and will not see it again.

[stotty]

Zverev tries to serve out at 5-3 in the third and wobbles terribly. His second serves woes never seem to go away. The stats say 82% percent 1st serves in here in the third, but the stats seldom reveal the small wobbles at critical moments.

[stotty]

I missed the Bash/Stef match but Zverez took the first set handily against Fritz and must be strong favourite to win the tournament, although the term 'strong favourite' might become a thing of the past once the big three exit the game. You feel the next generation will be winning and losing to each other rather frequently.

Fritz goes 3-1 up in the second. Really going for his shots now and coming up trumps.

[stroke]

Bash very interesting post match interview. I think that was the 1st time I have seen him interviewed like that.

[stroke]

Bash gets through. All credit to him. Stef did not give in. Bash did it.

[stroke]

Stef, being the top 5 player he is, did not give in, he dug in, and wins the 2nd set.

[stroke]

Bash wins 1st set 6-4 and Tsitsipas felt the pain. Brutal power display.

[stroke]

Bash starting out 4-1 completely overwhelming Tsitsipas with his unparalleled pace off both sides. No one has more pace off both sides than Bash, and he does it seemingly rather naturally, bordering on effortless power.