A pair of rematches will headline Tuesday’s schedule in Indian Wells. Roger Federer is facing familiar foe Andreas Seppi, while Milos Raonic will hope to hold off Alexandr Dolgopolov.
(30) Andreas Seppi vs. (2) Roger Federer
Normally it is Seppi who is technically getting a shot at Federer, but this time it is the Swiss who is looking to exact a measure of revenge. Their 11th career meeting came at this year’s Australian Open, where Seppi scored his first-ever win over Federer via a 6-4, 7-6(5), 4-6, 7-6(5) third-round decision. Federer had previously been 21-1 in total sets against the Italian.
Their next showdown will come on Tuesday in round three of the BNP Paribas Open. Federer, a recent champion in Dubai, kicked off his campaign with a 6-4, 6-2 rout of Diego Schwartzman. Seppi sneaked into a seeded spot to get a bye then took care of Victor Hanescu 6-4, 6-4. A champion in Brisbane and Dubai, Federer has no losses this season to anyone other than Seppi. The 33-year-old will not let the underdog get away with a second stunner.
Pick: Federer in 2 losing 5-7 games
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(6) Milos Raonic vs. Alexandr Dolgopolov
Raonic and Dolgopolov will be facing each other for the first time their careers on Tuesday. Their only previous encounter came at this same Indian Wells event in 2014, when Dolgopolov sent Nadal packing and eventually ousted Raonic to reach the semifinals. The 41st-ranked Ukrainian has done almost nothing ever since, mainly dude to a knee injury. But he got things back in gear last month in Delray Beach and Acapuclo (quarters of both) and so far in the desert he has been phenomenal in convincing wins over Frank Dancevic and Santiago Giraldo.
Since his loss to Dolgopolov, Raonic obviously went in a much different direction. The sixth-ranked Canadian made it to the Wimbledon semifinals and ultimately booked a spot in his first-ever World Tour Finals. His 2015 campaign has been laced with mediocrity, but Raonic at least managed to avenge an early Marseille loss by easing past Simone Bolelli 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday. Although a healthy Dolgopolov is increasing in confidence, it is by no means at the level at which it peaked the last time these two squared off in Indian Wells.
Pick: Raonic in 3
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How is being in a final (Brisbane) a semi final (Rotterdam 500) and a quarter final AO being “laced in mediocrity”? How many other players have done that so far? Only a few….so therefore …that seems pretty “exceptional” to me.
All about standards
Would be exceptional for someone like Gabashvili
I think that since some pundits have pegged Raonic as the one young player who could win a slam, then by those expectations and standards his results so far this year would not be considered great.
I think he’s shown more consistency than his other young counterparts, but hasn’t been able to step it up a few notches to beat the top players. He also has shown mental toughness beyond his years.
I am sure that Raonic has bigger goals than the results he has shown thus far this year. It’s not bad, but for someone with his potential it’s not great.
A matter of opinion I guess. It’s interesting that somehow being 6 in the world is judged as not good enough … I’m sure many players would love to be that mediocre. Media hype is always negative about everyone except the “Gods” at the top.
Pat,
I understand where you are coming from. I don’t think that Raonic has anything to be ashamed about at all. I guess it’s a matter of whether he’s ready to take the next big step. He’s done well for himself.
Also, if you read blogs online then you will know that the “Gods” have taken their share of criticism and lumps.