Indian Wells, BNP Paribas Open, Masters 1000

[El Dude]

He is only 17, turns 18 on August 8 - the same day Roger Federer turns 37.

Age-wise, 2018 is to FAA what 1999 was to Roger. In 1999 Roger finished #64 after finishing 1998 at #301. He went 13-17 in 14 tournaments. Slams: two qualification losses, to 1R losses. No finals and wouldn't an ATP title for another two years (2001).

I'm NOT saying FAA will be anything close to Roger, but he's a good point of comparison for young players in that he is probably the GOAT but had a relatively slow and steady path of development in his early years.

 

[britbox]

Borna Coric demolished Donald Young 6-0 6-2.



I was expecting that one to be close!

 

[kskate2]

When do the top dogs come out to play, tomorrow?

top dawgs play on Sat & Sun. I believe Roger's side of the draw is scheduled for Sat.

 

[Moxie]

Borna Coric demolished Donald Young 6-0 6-2.



I was expecting that one to be close!

I thought so, too. Both are rather unpredictable.

 

[herios]

Taylor Fritz defeats his best man Opelka

 

[Moxie]

Taylor Fritz defeats his best man Opelka

I picked Opelka in that match. Fritz trying to mount a comeback? He was a promising up-and-comer.

 

[herios]

Borna Coric demolished Donald Young 6-0 6-2.



I was expecting that one to be close!

DY will drop out of the top 100 as a result.

 

[herios]

I picked Opelka in that match. Fritz trying to mount a comeback? He was a promising up-and-comer.

I think he does. He started the year outside of the top 100, currently ranked 74.

 

[Moxie]

I think he does. He started the year outside of the top 100, currently ranked 74.

I hope he comes back. He's got a stylish game...not just based on serve or ball-bashing.

 

[herios]

I said the majority of this new generation guys are very inconsistent.
When you think they are ready to make some noise and breakout of the midpack, they throw in a lame one. Khachanov just won his second title 2 weeks ago, now he lost to the Donkey. Not good.

 

[Andy22]

The next gen players, seem to take a lot longer to get to the top of the sport.

 

[isabelle]

Shapo was good yesterday, hope he can have a great IW

 

[britbox]

 

[britbox]

Interviews:

Anderson:



Thiem:



Dimitrov:



Delpo:



Federer:

 

[britbox]

Thursday Highlights from IW:

 

[Andy22]

Thiem should at least make the semi finals, playing high level tennis so far this year.

 

[El Dude]

Hopefully Thiem is ready to take a step forward on non-clay surfaces. As I pointed out in another thread, while he's a top 4 clay court player--and arguablly #2 behind Nadal, if Roger stays off clay and Novak doesn't come back strong--he's more like a #30 player off clay. Some analysts have describe as a "soft top 10" player because of this. If he improves on hards and grass, he could go from a "soft top 10" to a borderline elite player in the Ferrer mold.

In fact, Ferrer is an interesting comparison - not because they're similar, which they aren't, or at least have some major differences, but because of their placement in the rankings. Ferrer was, for some years, the consistently best non-elite player, outside of the Big Four (by "elite" I mean Slam winners, and players vying for #1). Thiem could be that guy, although is more likely to win Slams given that he'll probably still be in his prime when Rafa starts slipping.

 

[DarthFed]

Thiem should at least make the semi finals, playing high level tennis so far this year.

He's in Fed's quarter. I have a feeling Thiem will be bounced in the first few rounds anyways. He has yet to show anything off clay.

 

[Tennis Miller]

I would LOVE to see Shapo v Fed

 

[Horsa]

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".

"You cannot be serious"? Lol.