There were still a few surprises at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday. Lucky loser Miomir Kecmanovic is in the quarterfinals. So, too, is world No. 67 Hubert Hurkacz–who upset Denis Shapovalov. John Isner lost in straight sets after losing only nine total games in his first two matches.
For the most part, though, the drama cooled off like the weather did earlier in the fortnight. And both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer continued to restore order to the otherwise unexpected proceedings at the Indian Wells Masters.
Nadal maintained his routine trek through the draw with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Filip Krajinovic during fourth-round action on Wednesday afternoon. The second-ranked Spaniard served at just 56 percent, but he struck seven aces without double-faulting and won an incredible 83 percent of his second-serve points while advancing in one hour and 26 minutes.
“I probably played a little bit worse today than yesterday,” Nadal admitted. “Maybe because of the conditions; [it was] windier out there today. But in general terms, (it has) been a positive victory again. (I’m) happy the way I played.”
Federer also improved to 6-0 in total sets this fortnight, hammering Kyle Edmund 6-1, 6-4 in their first-ever encounter. The 37-year-old Swiss saved all seven of the break points he faced while firing eight aces without double-faulting.
“He didn’t have the best start, so that cost him the first set,” Federer said of the 23-year-old Brit. “Second set, it was definitely better. I think he probably struggled throughout a little bit; he never really got going. Conditions are tough with the glare, and the jump of the ball is sometimes hard to find the rhythm and timing.”
Next up for the world No. 4 is Hurkacz, a 22-year-old from Poland.
“I enjoy it,” Federer said of facing opponents for the first time. “Hurkacz, he’s also up and coming, so that’s fun. Kyle, the same thing. I have never played him before other than practice. It’s nice to see what they have in the matches and really get a sense how much more we will see of them. For me, at a top level, I like it that I’m not playing the same guys every single week.”
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routine
hope to see fedal soon
I’m rather pleased with how Rafa played against an opponent he met for the first time. Krajinovic played well, hitting hard and trying to change direction and moving to the net too when he’s able to.
Rafa was able to raise his level during the match when he needed to, and that’s important as things would get tougher at the business end.
Fed dealt with Edmund easily as Edmund not known to have great footwork. I think his countryman Daniel Evans played better against Fed, and was able to move to the net frequently to control some points there. Edmund doesn’t seem as capable at the net imo.
OK. So Rafa himself admits he played worse than yesterday. I was wondering if my comments would be treated as negative. Watching Nadal’s full match is nerve wracking. I got comfortable to make that choice after looking up his opponent was ranked outside 100.
It could be windy conditions but Rafa usually handles it best. To watch him barely land a first serve in the first few games. To go 0-30 down on his first game and rely on an unforced error to get back. His groundstrokes were heavier and deeper but he was spraying inside out forehands and crosscourts wide. Too many misses in my opinion. If he needs the first set in his bag to play freely, thats a tough ask with better opponents. He needs to start better and impose his game. He didnt seem to be in a rush instead fairly relaxed which was a good sign.
He certainly needs to up his consistency, serve better and change directions early and be aggressive if he is to be successful in the upcoming matches. Assuming he does that with Khachanov,Fed is going to really bring it and be aggressive and I hope Nadal is ready. He needs to get past this half and has a good chance in the final.
FEDAL!!!!!
Yes, NADERER !
Off topic, Fed’s young son looks exactly like Fed when he’s young (saw Fed’s pic when he’s a child)!
If Rafa handles kachanov ,One more loss to fed coming soon for Rafa or will he turn the losing streak…me thinks the former as fed is playing better than Rafa this tourney n is riding on confidence after no 100..it’s ironic how things turn. At one time fed used to dread playing Rafa n fancy djoko..today he relishes Rafa n dreads djoko..