BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells

[1] Andy Murray (GBR) vs. [129] Vasek Pospisil (CAN)

Murray led their head-to-head 4:0 and had never dropped a set to him.  While Murray’s ranking was heading in the upwards direction, Pospisil’s has been heading downwards.  He was once ranked as high as 25 and it’s surprising to see his ranking so low, but the talent is still there.  Did Murray take it for granted that this would be an easy victory? Perhaps that was partially responsible; however, Murray has traditionally not done well at this tournament.  Still, I did not expect him to lose this match.  Pospisil seemed rejuvenated, he played with conviction, seemed more positive than his opponent and that’s why he was able to upset Murray.  He took it to Murray, volleying with precision and gained the 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over the number one seed and number one ranked player.

[8] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) vs. [43] Fabio Fognini (ITA)

Just like Murray, Tsonga led their head-to-head 4:0; however, unlike Pospisil, Fognini had won a few sets from Tsonga, so he had the belief that he could beat Tsonga.  What happened in this match?  Tsonga may have been a tad exhausted from playing so well at the start of the season and Fognini when he is on is a dangerous player if you are not at your best.  The surprise may be that Fognini held it together after dropping the second set, because he is such a mercurial player.  This is an encouraging sign for Fognini’s fans; he showed that he can make the commitment to dig deep and he was rewarded with the 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4 victory over an opponent he had never beaten before. Can he maintain this form and go deep in the draw or will he pull a “Fognini” and disappear in the next round?

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