BNP Paribas Open aka Indian Wells

[stroke]

Match of the tournament do far to me was Fils over Musetti in 3. Both played and competed so well. A poster child match for how tough it is out there ATP tennis,

[jimlosaltos]

Match of the tournament do far to me was Fils over Musetti in 3. Both played and competed so well. A poster child match for how tough it is out there ATP tennis,

Good stuff. Fils had to save a match point.

[jimlosaltos]

Riddle me this. Alex de Minaur got one 40.8% of his first serves in and won more first serve points than Hurckaz.

[stotty]

Riddle me this. Alex de Minaur got one 40.8% of his first serves in and won more first serve points than Hurckaz.

Doesn't seem possible...

[stroke]

Riddle me this. Alex de Minaur got one 40.8% of his first serves in and won more first serve points than Hurckaz.

A lot going on out there. Very complicated, what separates winning from not winning.

[stotty]

I knew Rune v Tsitsipas would be an interesting encounter. Rune is a set up as I write. The trouble with Stef is so much hinges on his forehand because his backhand is weaker compared to many of his opponents. I watched him at Wimbledon once on an outside court. His forehand was terrific but he shanked and miscued so many backhands. That put a lot of pressure on his forehands when they came around.

You feel his game has fallen behind he times a bit...hit a big serve and peel away and hit massive forehand. The game-style/tactic still has merit but a player needs rather more than that these days. Other players are just so good off both wings.

[stroke]

I knew Rune v Tsitsipas would be an interesting encounter. Rune is a set up as I write. The trouble with Stef is so much hinges on his forehand because his backhand is weaker compared to many of his opponents. I watched him at Wimbledon once on an outside court. His forehand was terrific but he shanked and miscued so many backhands. That put a lot of pressure on his forehands when they came around.

You feel his game has fallen behind he times a bit...hit a big serve and peel away and hit massive forehand. The game-style/tactic still has merit but a player needs rather more than that these days. Other players are just so good off both wings.

Yes, his whole success, winning or not, seems to depend on his backhand shot quality, which is measured now every match, His forehand one of the best on Tour.

[stotty]

Fils was a little unlucky to lose to Meddy. He was by far the braver and better shot maker, but Meddy, as we all know, just keeps sticking the ball back in play. I really like Fils. Some of the forehands he hits are phenomenal. He can ratchet topspin up and down to suit the situation in a given rally....it's a corker.

[glacierguy]

I am looking forward to Rune vs Medvedev. Rune seems to have developed a much steadier, conservative rally ball of late, whilst still being able to hit scorching winners when the opportunity arises. I hope he wins.

And how come the media is buying the story about how excited Medvedev was to beat Fils, and couldn't help himself jumping for joy? He had clearly been irritated by the crowd supporting Fils, and by Fils's loud exhortations, so when Medvedev won, he sarcastically feigned excitement to rub it in.

[stotty]

I am looking forward to Rune vs Medvedev. Rune seems to have developed a much steadier, conservative rally ball of late, whilst still being able to hit scorching winners when the opportunity arises. I hope he wins.

And how come the media is buying the story about how excited Medvedev was to beat Fils, and couldn't help himself jumping for joy? He had clearly been irritated by the crowd supporting Fils, and by Fils's loud exhortations, so when Medvedev won, he sarcastically feigned excitement to rub it in.

It was an unlikely win as he was on the back foot much of the time so you can understand Meddy's jubilation. As he shook hands with Fils, you did get the sense he slightly regretted overdoing the celebrations.

Rune v Meddy will be an interesting match-up, and I am looking forward to seeing if Draper can make an impact on Carlos. Carlos looks, however, the overwhelming favourite to lift the trophy.

[stotty]

Rune wins the first set. I don't think I have seen a more cack-handed volleyer than Meddy...virtually club standard.

[glacierguy]

Straight sets. It's strange that Medvedev could not outlast Rune in the longer rallies, that's supposed to be his game. Rune's backhand slices were pretty basic, but did the job, weird. 27 unforced from Medvedev - what's going on? Very good mental control from Rune. Mature.

[stotty]

Straight sets. It's strange that Medvedev could not outlast Rune in the longer rallies, that's supposed to be his game. Rune's backhand slices were pretty basic, but did the job, weird. 27 unforced from Medvedev - what's going on? Very good mental control from Rune. Mature.

True. Although Rune is also good in longer rallies and has great defence. He also has a better all round game. Meddy only won 53% of his second serves, which tells a story also. Rune played great. He might have folded in that last game at 0-30 but instead got really stuck in, winning that 38 stroke rally was monumental.

[jeffreycounts]

How did Jack Draper beat Carlos? I don't think anyone saw a Draper - Rune final as even a remote possibility. I'm looking forward to this final.

[stroke]

Straight sets. It's strange that Medvedev could not outlast Rune in the longer rallies, that's supposed to be his game. Rune's backhand slices were pretty basic, but did the job, weird. 27 unforced from Medvedev - what's going on? Very good mental control from Rune. Mature.

I don't think any top 10 player has ever played a more exhausting brand of tennis than Medvedev. It looks painful. Certainly having to go through that to get a win(or loss) cant be much fun. He is the complete opposite of Fed out there.