Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, Masters 1000

[GameSetAndMath]

Back to topic, this tournament could set the tone of Federer's year, let alone of the race to YE#1.

If he wins it, he can safely skip Miami, give a go to one clay Master and RG, and still be quite fresh for grass. It would take a monster effort from anyone to take him away from the the YE#1.

Fed has decided to play both IW and M. Independent of what happens at IW, Fed will play M. Only after M, he plans to think about possibly playing on clay. These are facts, not just my expectations.

 

[mrzz]

Fed has decided to play both IW and M. Independent of what happens at IW, Fed will play M. Only after M, he plans to think about possibly playing on clay. These are facts, not just my expectations.

The last time your expectations turned into reality (Rotterdam), so you have credit.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

A heavy favourite Federer might be, because they say he's playing the best tennis of his life...
But I note that in this "best tennis of his life" (last and this season) Fed did not face the opponents he has lots of troubles with previously: Murray and Djoko. Especially, he lost the last five or so matches against Djoko before 2017. It would be interesting if a draw at IW finally throws in Djoko as Fed's challenger. And it may happen in earlier round because of Djoko's lower ranking. If that happens and Djoko's recovered after elbow injury & in form, then he's able to upset the favourite, what would be not so much an upset to me...

 

[kskate2]

Remembering Kournikova, I went from 157% macho to a new world record yet to be fully measured by the governing body.

View attachment 1691

@DarthFed will appreciate this pic

 

[DarthFed]

@DarthFed will appreciate this pic

You have no idea! That lady was supposed to have little Darth babies

 

[DarthFed]

A heavy favourite Federer might be, because they say he's playing the best tennis of his life...
But I note that in this "best tennis of his life" (last and this season) Fed did not face the opponents he has lots of troubles with previously: Murray and Djoko. Especially, he lost the last five or so matches against Djoko before 2017. It would be interesting if a draw at IW finally throws in Djoko as Fed's challenger. And it may happen in earlier round because of Djoko's lower ranking. If that happens and Djoko's recovered after elbow injury & in form, then he's able to upset the favourite, what would be not so much an upset to me...

Not sure who is saying that Roger is playing the best tennis of his life. Overzealous commentators maybe but that's it.

You also may want to check your facts as Roger destroyed Murray since 2014 and in general Andy has never been much of a threat to him at majors. And Roger, despite a mediocre 2015, went 3-5 vs Djokovic and currently Nole has won 2 in a row in that series. Nole took advantage of some of Roger's weak years in his 30's but he has managed to duck Fed these last 15 months when he has sucked. I doubt he even plays until Madrid or Rome anyways.

 

[Andy22]

I agree Federer not playing the best tennis of his life, its just that he's playing the best tennis he ever has against Nadal.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Doesn't look like a particularly tough path to the semis for Roger if he is ready to play. Semis can get interesting, if Nick makes it there.

 

[Moxie]

So Djokovic IS playing, as is Kyrgios. Roger's quarter (top) and Cilic's quarter (bottom) look pretty straight-forward, with all the potential speed-bumps in the middle quarters, I'd say.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Not sure who is saying that Roger is playing the best tennis of his life. Overzealous commentators maybe but that's it.

That "overzealous commentator" is no one small but John McEnroe himself. While commenting for ESPN at AO2017 and AO2018, Mac said both times, that in his mind, Federer's game is "better now than it used to be 10 years ago when he was 25-26". And as not to leave any doubt about what he means, he added that "The Federer of today would beat the Federer of 2008".

 

[Moxie]

That "overzealous commentator" is no one small but John McEnroe himself. While commenting for ESPN at AO2017 and AO2018, Mac said both times, that in his mind, Federer's game is "better now than it used to be 10 years ago when he was 25-26". And as not to leave any doubt about what he means, he added that "The Federer of today would beat the Federer of 2008".

John McEnroe is pretty famous for hyperbole, and his "opinions of the moment." I agree with Darth. However well he's playing now, I can't see how he's better at 36 than at 25. At best, he's smarter.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

So Djokovic IS playing, as is Kyrgios. Roger's quarter (top) and Cilic's quarter (bottom) look pretty straight-forward, with all the potential speed-bumps in the middle quarters, I'd say.

Indeed, looking at the draw ATP just released, the top half of the draw is theoretically far easier than the bottom one, so Fed got very at this ATP lottery lucky again. The biggest hurdle in his run to semi (i.e. his #1 defence) look to be Berdych/Thiem in quarter, then Dimitrov/Anderson looms in semi. Pretty much he's got the final guaranteed if he plays his usual level.
The bottom (Cilic's) half though is loaded with big in form names like Zverev, Delpot, Nishi & Djoko. Nishi-Djoko encounters looms early in 3rd, which is going to be interesting if happens.

 

[Moxie]

 

[Moxie]

Indeed, looking at the draw ATP just released, the top half of the draw is theoretically far easier than the bottom one, so Fed got very at this ATP lottery lucky again. The biggest hurdle in his run to semi (i.e. his #1 defence) look to be Berdych/Thiem in quarter, then Dimitrov/Anderson looms in semi. Pretty much he's got the final guaranteed if he plays his usual level.
The bottom (Cilic's) half though is loaded with big in form names like Zverev, Delpot, Nishi & Djoko. Nishi-Djoko encounters looms early in 3rd, which is going to be interesting if happens.

It's true that Cilic could have DelPo in his QF, so it's rougher than I had thought. I did notice the potential Kei/Nole 3rd round.

 

[britbox]

Federer is in town:

 

[britbox]

Big news for me that Djoker didn't pull out. I was pretty certain he would.

Anyway, it's all good for Indian Wells.

 

[DarthFed]

That "overzealous commentator" is no one small but John McEnroe himself. While commenting for ESPN at AO2017 and AO2018, Mac said both times, that in his mind, Federer's game is "better now than it used to be 10 years ago when he was 25-26". And as not to leave any doubt about what he means, he added that "The Federer of today would beat the Federer of 2008".

McEnroe was exactly who I had in mind when talking about overzealous commentators. He was saying the same thing during mediocre seasons like 2014 and 2015 when Roger did next to nothing. At least now it's not as ridiculous a statement but still not true. Last year was the 5th or 6th best season of Roger's career.

 

[DarthFed]

Indeed, looking at the draw ATP just released, the top half of the draw is theoretically far easier than the bottom one, so Fed got very at this ATP lottery lucky again. The biggest hurdle in his run to semi (i.e. his #1 defence) look to be Berdych/Thiem in quarter, then Dimitrov/Anderson looms in semi. Pretty much he's got the final guaranteed if he plays his usual level.
The bottom (Cilic's) half though is loaded with big in form names like Zverev, Delpot, Nishi & Djoko. Nishi-Djoko encounters looms early in 3rd, which is going to be interesting if happens.

How exactly are Zverev, Nishi, and Djoker in form names? Anyways I would agree the top half is easier but at this juncture it's hard to even picture a tough draw. Too many people out hurt or coming back from injury. If Roger plays like Roger he wins the tournament.

 

[El Dude]

Big news for me that Djoker didn't pull out. I was pretty certain he would.

So was Jelena...thus Stefan

 

[El Dude]

Anyhow, Novak could have a brutal run of Nishikori, del Potro, Cilic, Zverev, then presumably Roger. I say if he gets past Kei, Juan Martin will take him out.