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3/15/09 3:08 PM | Ricky Dimon
After first-round byes, the seeded players at the Masters Series Indian Wells took the court on Saturday. They did not disappoint.
Cinderella stories reserved for college basketball
Upsets happen all the time in March; in college basketball's NCAA Tournament. They certainly didn't happen on Saturday in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open, the first Masters Series event of 2009. Seeded players were 13-2 on the first day of second-round action. The only three unseeded men who reached the third round in the bottom half of the draw were Philipp Kohlschreiber, who defeated lucky loser Olivier Patience, Ivan Ljubicic, who advanced when Mario Ancic retired, and Nicolas Lapentti, who beat recently-injured Robin Soderling. That's 16 matches, 0 big upsets.
Streak of futility continues
With his second-round loss to Igor Andreev on Saturday afternoon, Ernests Gulbis has now failed to reach the third round of an incredible 14 straight tournaments. The 20-year-old Latvian lost in the second round of 10 straight tournaments dating back to last season until that streak ended with a first-round loss to Marcos Baghdatis in Delray Beach. Consider this while digesting just how bad Gulbis has been: he has not won back-to-back matches since last July's Masters Series Cincinnati.
Recovering from Davis Cup
France, one of the 2009 Davis Cup favorites, was dealt a tough draw and lost on the road to the Czech Republic in a first-round tie last weekend. Gilles Simon was reduced to tears after losing two singles rubbers, including the clincher, but he recovered (just barely) to defeat Yen-Hsun Lu on Saturday night in Indian Wells. Frenchmen went 4-2 on Saturday, out of a possible 5-1 since two Frenchmen (Richard Gasquet and Michael Llodra) played against each other. Simon survived Lu after being down a break in the third set and Gasquet ousted Llodra in easy straights. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took out Teimuraz Gabashvili in straight sets and Paul-Henri Mathieu got the best of Potito Starace 6-4, 6-7(11), 6-4.
Quote of the day
"Tim Henman had babies and it didn't affect his career too much." -- Roger Federer, who announced earlier this week that his girlfriend is expecting a child.
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i just wrote 2 articles, so I'm obviously here.
the answer, however, is watching college basketball I would guess. I'm sure people will have plenty to comment on when Rafa and Nole finish their matches today.
RickyDimon , 3/15/09 5:01 PM
Ricky,
Thanks for the article! I was expecting some comments from you about how Murray and Verdasco played. I thought both looked rusty. Verdasco recovered in the 2nd set, but seemed like Murray did not. (even though it was enough to get him through).
imjimmy , 3/15/09 9:00 PM
I saw almost none of Murray, although I did see the incredible point in the final game of the match.
I watched Verdasco, but there wasn't much to say about it. Solid performance, he took care of business. Him vs. Gasquet should be a good one if Richard comes to play.
RickyDimon , 3/15/09 9:21 PM
townjerry2, surprise! surprise! sorry to disappoint you, but i haven't gone far! can't find anyone to argue with! be careful what you wish for! ha! ha! it won't be long before everybody is back in full swing!
memi , 3/16/09 12:15 AM
Ricky, usually(not every time though) you post an opinion after your article,tat's why i mentioned u.
memi,
don't be surprised, i will wait for everyone to come with full swing !!!!!u mean u r here to argue ?????or tat's referred to me ??? lol
tomnjerry2 , 3/16/09 4:51 AM
tomnjerry2, a tiny argument now and then won't hurt nobody if we don't take it personal! it can be healthy! adds spice to a discussion!
memi , 3/16/09 5:13 AM
memi,
that's true !!!!!!!!! i (everyone should) have never mind something quoted at me !!!!!! & i like spicy food as well as comments !!!!!!
tomnjerry2 , 3/16/09 5:39 AM
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Where hane TT users gone today !!!!!!!!!!! torres9, noleisthebest, sky,gordona,janhavi,sisterfornight,orion,rafalnadalgal,remi,memi even Ricky & Cheryl !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lonely, I m feeling lonely,I have no buddy.........oh no i m only !!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol
tomnjerry2 , 3/15/09 4:52 PM