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  • Indian Wells First Quarter Friday Previews

    3/14/08 1:40 AM | Jonathan Morgan
    - There are many good matches on tap Friday in Indian Wells, especially in the draw's first quarter.

    Janko Tipsarevic vs. Nicolas Massu

    Tipsarevic nearly pulled off the upset of his career at the Australian Open against Federer. Since then he has had some solid results and lost a tough 3 setter against Lopez in Dubai. Lopez went on to lose in the final. Massu has been struggling to get wins all season, even on clay. Tipsarevic should have the upper hand in this contest considering it is on hard courts. On clay, it would be a different story. They have met once before, in the French Open 1st round, a completely meaningless result. Tipsarevic should take this.

    Jurgen Melzer vs. Marat Safin

    Oh, Marat, Marat, Marat. What has happened to you? Knee injuries, lack of confidence, lack of movement, we can go on, but the point is that Safin has become a player that no one is afraid of. Everyone knows he has the talent and skills to beat anyone on any given day, but that Safin is long gone. The Marat that we have now has won just a single match since last October and lost embarrasingly to Hewitt in Las Vegas last week. While still a crowd favorite, Safin's tennistic prowess is fading. Lucky for Marat, he is playing Melzer, a player who's recent play also leaves alot to be desired. The head to head for this matchup is 2-1 in favor of Melzer, with the last win in 2006 in Metz indoors, 7-6 in the 3rd. This match can go either way, but lets just go with Safin, if nothing more than for old time's sake.

    Tommy Haas vs. Julien Benneteau

    Tommy Haas is another former fantastic player who's been on the decline. Haas had off season shoulder surgery and is attempting to comeback to the circuit for the past month. The comeback has been less than stellar. He has played (apart from the Ferrer match in Dubai where he was simply destroyed) 5 matches against opponents ranked outside the top 100. He is 2-3. Not exactly what Tommy was expecting trying to return. His ranking has slipped to 36 in the interim, and is trying to find his rhythm. His opponent, Frenchman Benneteau, has had some solid results on the tour this year, including beating Hewitt in straight sets last week in Vegas, reaching a challenger final, as well as an ATP semi before the Australian Open. They have met once before, in the 2006 Memphis first round. Haas took that one easily, but this is not the same Haas. Benneteau should win this, considering Haas' poor form.

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