It remains an extreme long-shot–especially with Roger Federer in the singles draw–but Sam Querrey is the last player left in both singles and doubles at the BNP Paribas Open for a chance to win a $1 million bonus by winning both events.
In a showdown between the last two such competitors remaining, Querrey cruised past Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4 during fourth-round action on Wednesday evening. The 6’6” American dropped serve once but fired 14 aces while double-faulting only once, and he won 80 points of his first-serve points.
“It’s the best I played so far (in this tournament),” Querrey commented. “My first-serve percentage was a little low. But other than that, I did everything really well. Really aggressive. I thought I returned pretty well against the guy. He’s got a tough serve.”
Fourth-round highlights:
Next up for the world No. 21 is Milos Raonic, who got a walkover into the quarterfinals from an ill Marcos Baghdatis.
“I woke up and felt a bit ill,” Baghdatis lamented. “I have some stomach issues. I came to have a hit and didn’t feel myself. I didn’t feel well to go out there. I’m really sorry to the fans who wanted to see this match. I’m a bit disappointed myself.”
This is the first year of the Indian Wells $1 million bonus, which goes to any man or woman who achieves the unlikely feat of capturing titles in both singles and doubles. Querrey will be the favorite against a rusty Milos Raonic, but the 30-year-old could run into an in-form Juan Martin Del Potro in the semifinals and an on-fire Federer in the final.
Partnering big-serving lefty Gilles Muller, Querrey will contest his doubles quarterfinal match (vs. Pablo Cuevas and Horacio Zeballos) on Thursday before facing Raonic on Friday. Querrey and Muller would have to play the Bryan brothers in the semis and perhaps Americans Jack Sock and John Isner in the final.
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won’t happen, of course