BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells

[CR21] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) vs. [CR85] Lesia Tsurenko (UKR)

Hampered by the right ankle injury she suffered two nights ago during her match against [CR7] Eugenie Bouchard (CAN), Tsurenko’s movement was severely limited.  Unable to get into position, her rhythm was thrown off-balance and she could not compete effectively. It’s not the way that Jankovic hoped to get to the semi-finals; however, after a tough battle against [CR18]Madison Keys (USA), she will take the easy victory 6-1, 4-1 (Tsurenko retired).

Hampered by lack of belief

[CR4] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [CR12] Feliciano Newman (ESP)

Lopez’s lack of conviction was his undoing. That is surprising given his recent defeat of [CR5] Kei Nishikori (JPN). I hoped that he could build on that victory; however, Lopez spent more time engaged in conversation with himself than engaged in his match against Murray.  It was a lackluster performance by his standards and a bit disappointing.  Murray moves on to the semi-finals with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.  His next opponent is  [CR1] Novak Djokovic (SRB), someone he has not beaten since 2013. Can he overcome that hurdle this time around?