Federer, Nadal play at Indian Wells’ ATP World Tour Masters 1000, for the first time since Australian Open

Wednesday, 10 March 2010 00:00

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Roger Federer tops the field at the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 of the season, in his first showing since he won the Australian Open in January. The World No.1 was forced to withdraw from the Dubai Open because of a lung infection that kept him from playing for his country in the Davis Cup first round last week. Defending champion Spain, without Nadal, defeated Switzerland 4-1.

The Swiss star has won the title three times in Indian Wells (2004-06) and has a 29-6 tournament record. To reach the final, Federer will have to go through the two Andys at the top of the draw, Roddick in quarterfinals and Murray in the semis.

The World No. 3 Rafael Nadal had to retire in the Australian Open for knee problem, he will try to defend the BNP Paribas Open title he won last year with an impressive 6-1, 6-2 victory over Andy Murray. The Spaniard also won in 2007 (def. Djokovic), but hasn’t won a title since May last year in Rome, not finding his best level of play after suffering from tendonitis on both knees.

Novak Djokovic took the title in 2008 (def. Mardy Fish), and has won the Dubai Open last month. The World No. 2 is fresh from leading Serbia to an historical 3-2 victory over the United States in the Davis Cup first round last Sunday. The World No.2 is in top form, he wouldn’t surprise anybody by reaching the final.

After losing in straight sets to Federer in the final of the Australian Open, Andy Murray had a disappointing second-round loss in Dubai. Runner-up to Nadal last year and only the third British player to reach the final in Indian Wells (Tim Henman 2002,2004, and Greg Rusedski 1998), Murray is looking for his first title in 2010.

Nikolay Davydenko has beaten Nadal in their last two meetings, at the ATP Tour Finals last November and in the final of the 2010 season-opener in Doha. The world No.6 Russian could do it again if both men reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.

Marin Cilic has reached the top-10 ranking for the first time in his young career (ranked N0.9), he’s set to face Djokovic in the quarterfinals. I hope they both get there, it’s a match to watch.

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Federer, Nadal play at Indian Wells’ ATP World Tour Masters 1000, for the first time since Australian Open

Federer, Nadal play at Indian Wells’ ATP World Tour Masters 1000, for the first time since Australian Open

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