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3/16/09 2:15 PM | Ricky Dimon
Seeded players did not fare as well on Sunday as they did on Saturday. Upsets included Viktor Troicki's straight-set dismantling of Tomas Berdych.
March Madness
In "March Madness," the traditional name of college basketball's prestigious post-season tournament, small conference winners earn automatic entry into the event, earning a chance to go up against the best teams in the sport. It's not unlike a wild card in tennis, which an event can award to a player who it deems worthy but does not own a ranking high enough for direct entry. John Isner, No. 147 in the world, got one this week at the Masters Series Indian Wells and is making the most of his opportunity. After crushing an in-form Christophe Rochus in the first round, the 6'9'' American stunned world No. 9 Gael Monfils 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-4 on Sunday evening. Next up for Isner is 24th-seeded Marat Safin.
More upset specials
1. Sam Querrey - The up-and-coming American shocked Radek Stepanek, one of the hottest players in tennis. Stepanek already owns two titles this season--in Brisbane and San Jose--and he also finished runner-up in Memphis. But on Sunday he was no match for Querrey, who fired 11 aces and never got broken. Querrey also displayed a stellar all-court gream, breaking his opponent once in each set despite the fact that Stepanek put in 67 percent of his first serves. Stanislas Wawrinka will take on Querrey in the third round.
2. Jeremy Chardy - Revenge must have been sweet for Chardy, who avenged a recent loss in Delray Beach to Mardy Fish. The Frenchman prevailed in straight sets but needed tiebreakers in both, as each man secured one break of serve in each set. Fish blasted 13 aces and only lost one fewer point than his opponent (86-85), but Chardy was by far the better player in the clutch moments. The big news here is that Fish was the 2008 Indian Wells runner-up, so a huge point loss and a plummet in the rankings is on the menu.
Berdych shot down
Yet another upset victim was Tomas Berdych, but he went down in far more convincing fashion than Monfils, Stepanek, and Fish. Berdych won a mere four games while getting blasted by Viktor Troicki in just one hour and five minutes on Sunday. The Czech served under 50 percent, double-faulted five times, and failed to convert any of four break-point opportunities. This performances invokes memories of his first-round drubbing at the hands of Querrey in the first round of last year's U.S. Open.
Leading the way
Aside from Monfils, the rest of the Top 10 players in action on Sunday escaped the upset bug. No. 6 Juan Martin Del Potro, however, dis not advance without a scare. The Argentine survived wildcard Ryan Sweeting 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-1. Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Roddick had an easier time in their respective openers, all prevailing in straight sets. Nadal was the most impressive of the bunch, destroying Michael Berrer 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and seven minutes.
Quote of the day
"There's no question those guys can play the same level as the top players. It's just a question of whether they can do it for the whole year or not." -- Andy Murray, when asked whether or not there is a big gap between the "Big 4" and Andy Roddick, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Fernando Verdasco.
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Murray is absolutely correct! CONSISTENCY is the name of the game.
agf25agf , 3/16/09 9:14 PM
I don't think Andy particularly cares about a glossy Mr nice-guy image. And having watched the Tsonga -Andreev match, I've got to agree with him. Tsonga is a class act but consistent he ain't. I just hope he, Tsonga, doesn't become another Nalbandian, so much talent, so little delivery.
deuce , 3/17/09 3:09 PM
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Oh, Andy, Andy be careful what you say. If you say what you mean you shall become Nole no.2 and everybody will hate you. Please wear the gloves with the press. Do not share your thoughts and emotions. And always praise all of your opponents. On the other hand you can be crucified.
zikili , 3/16/09 3:32 PM