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The Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells 2007

March 18, 2007 - Rafa Claims Pacific Life Open Title

By D.J. Lutes

Starting strong and winning early.  That was the difference between the 20 year old Raphael Nadal and 19 year old Novak Djokovic.  Even before the match, Rafa started winning early with 21 finals under his belt while this was his opponent’s first ATP Masters’ final.  The match started with Rafa coming out like a bull firing on all cylinders.  He quickly jumped to a 4-0 lead and grabbed the crucial first set 6-2.

Djokovic in the second set started to settle down.  His first serve percentage went up dramatically.  He also started showing Rafa he could handle the lefty’s wicked spin serve.

At 4-4, Djoko served out of trouble of a love-30 game and showed he was not going down easy. 

Nonetheless, Rafa’s break point opportunity came at 5-5.  Djoko, when serving at 15-30, double faulted while trying to do too much under pressure.   That gave Nadal a double break point opportunity that just about secured the match.  With two bites at the apple, Nadal got his break and served out the match. 

During the whole tournament, no one ever broke Rafa’s serve.  Couple that with his incredible speed and tenacious play, he goes into Miami next week, making a statement: I am back.  Remember this is his first tournament title since the French Open which was nearly 9 months ago. 

Nadal’s victory gives him his third hard court ATP Masters Series title and makes him a formidable 7-1 in ATP Masters Series finals for his career.  Remember also, Nadal is the only player to beat Roger Federer more than once since Federer became number 1 in the world.  Rafa’s confidence should now be at an all-time high and his number 2 ranking secure. 

Hey, don’t feel bad for Djoko.  Next week’s ATP world rankings will put him into the top ten.  This loss will also show him that it’s important not only how you finish, but also how you start.

March 17th, 2007 - Rafa over Roddick

By D.J. Lutes

In 74 minutes, Rafael Nadal (aka “Rafa” as displayed on his monogramed shoes) took care of Roddick in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.  Rafael Nadal lived up to his number two world ranking by beating Roddick on his favorite surface, the hard courts. 

Andy was broken for the first time this tournament at 2-2 in the first set.  The match was characterized by Nadal’s typical tenacious style of play.  Nadal covered Andy’s shots like a blanket and was relentless like a dog latched to a postman’s trousers.  Rafa broke Andy’s serve by jumping on second serve opportunities, standing on the baseline and taking advantage of Andy’s weak net play. 

Rafa continued to hold his serve easily and bulled through the match like he owned it.  In the press conference, Nadal admitted it was the best match he played this year.  Roddick even mentioned, “…I got out-played start to finish.  That’s the bottom line.”

Ultimately, this may have been a good match for Roddick to lose.  It just reinforces the need for Roddick to continue working on his all court game and to know that his big serve is not always enough.  On the other hand, this win just made Nadal realize he can beat Roddick on the hard courts and perhaps on the grass as well.

Nadal will have the advantage over Djokovic in the finals.  While only being one year older than Djokovic, he has 2 grand slam titles and 6 ATP Masters titles.  Advantage Rafa.

March 16th, 2007 - Djokovic is No Joke

by D.J. Lutes

Novak Djokovic.  Ever hear of the guy?  Get used to his name and remember the “D” is silent.  He is 19 years old and ranked 13th in the world.  He is actually right now the youngest player to be ranked in the top twenty.  The young Serbian possesses explosive ground strokes that are surprisingly under control during big points.   In 2007, he has already won an ATP tournament in Adelaide, Australia and has won 17 of his first 21 matches this year.

In the press conference after his match, I was astonished to see how confident and focused Djokovic carries himself.  He believes he can reach his goal for this year and become ranked in the top ten in the world.  He wants to improve and not become complacent with just being a good baseline player.  He is also learning how to finish off points at the net with help from none other than former number one ranked doubles specialist and Grand Slam Champion Mark Woodforde.  All of this is a recipe for future greatness.

Today, Djokovic was no joke in easily beating Spain’s David Ferrer in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.  When you first watch Djokovic, you cannot help but notice that his serves reach 130+ mph.  His forehands and backhands rocket past his opponents.  His passing shots are explosive but controlled like a laser beam.  Watching him live, he is more impressive than on TV.

However, when you look more closely, you even uncover another layer.  This guy does not get rattled. He is resilient and poised. He is nails. In his match this afternoon, I noted on three separate occasions his uncanny ability to recover from a mistake or distraction by jumping into the next big points and either securing the game or the set.  He thrives on big points and, if he misses an overhead or routine volley, watch out.  He is going to make you pay for it on his next ball and the one after that!  This is one of the intangibles that makes for a future champion.

Ultimately, Djokovic and Murray have each separately earned semifinal berths at the Pacific Life Open at 19 years old… and that my friends is by no means a joke.  

March 16th, 2007 - Braveheart beats Blitzkrieg and Gets into Pacific Life Open Semis

by D.J. Lutes

If you missed the quarterfinal match-up between Scotland’s Andy Murray and Germany’s Tommy Haas, it was a real battle between two warriors. 

After losing the first set 3-6, Andy Murray started the second set with his rifling 130+ mph serves and immediately goes ahead 3-0.  Then Murray drew first blood.  While diving for a wide forehand, Murray rolled his (recently healed) ankle and heard something snap.  Haas came running over with genuine concern and signaled for help.  The evening crowd of 15,418 people gasped in disappointment.  After that moment everyone thought the match was done.  Heck, I even heard in the press room that one foreign TV crew started to pack-up and leave for the night! 

The 19 year old Murray (aka Braveheart as some British reporters call him) got taped up and kept going.  With a stiff upper lip and blood running down his knee, Braveheart finished the game he was serving and continued through the set.

The second set was actually played like Muhammad Ali’s classic “rope-a-dope” fight against George Foreman.  Murray played all kinds of defensive shots with spin, slice and off-speed.  His serve could only reach 106 or 108 mph at best.  It seemed that the harder Tommy “Blitzkrieg” Haas hit the ball, the more Braveheart just kept it in play. All the while, you could see Tommy Haas and the smoke coming out his ears.  Second set to Braveheart 6-3.

We go to the third set.  The patented “rope-a-dope get everything back winning ugly” strategy continues to work for Murray (kudos to Coach Gilbert on that one).  Blitzkrieg showed signs of frustration and struggled early in the third set and got down a break in games.  At 4-4, Haas breaks back, evens the set and gets the match to a tiebreaker despite getting cramps in the hamstring in his right leg.

In the final third set tiebreaker, the people were thrilled that Braveheart never quit.  However, his “rope-a-dope” strategy started to erode.  Murray’s serve actually started get more power and he was getting carried away rifling the ball the way Haas likes it.  Actually, Haas had two match points in the tiebreak at 6-5 and 7-6.  The first one Blitzkrieg hit his forehand long and the second one he hit his backhand wide down the line.  At that big point moment, Braveheart reverted to his defensive game plan and Haas fired long again.  Tiebreaker to Murray 10-8.

At the press conference afterwards, Murray admitted that the ankle scared him more than it hurt.  He actually said he felt like a “brat” for having such a long injury time-out.  He claims the majority of his pain is in his right hip despite the cut on his knee and the twisted ankle.  Will he play in tomorrow’s semis?  Murray says that it will depend on how he feels tomorrow.  My prediction is yes because we are dealing with a 19 year old Braveheart.     

March 15, 2007 - Thank You Jimmy Connors

by D.J. Lutes

All tennis fans in the USA should send Mr. Connors a thank you card.  In it they should write:

“Thank you for giving Andy Roddick an effective backhand, an aggressive all court game and more patience during big points…  Also thanks for showing him how to use his intensity wisely in tough matches... ”

Signed,

All USA tennis fans looking for an improved Andy Roddick

On Thursday night at the Pacific Life Open at Indian Wells, Andy Roddick beat Ivan Ljubicic 7-6(7), 7-6(8).  Both these guys were nailing their 130+ mph first serves or 98+ mph kick serves.  Neither player was ever broken on his serve.  Heck, Roddick has not been broken yet this tournament.  Despite the fact that it was a “serve-fest”, the match was won with more than just Roddick’s serve.  This is where Mr. Connors has stepped in. 

Case and point:  The tiebreakers.  Roddick wins the grueling first set tiebreaker by one mini-break.  With Ljubicic serving at 7-8, both players go into this long patient rally where Roddick threw in some slice backhands that cause Ljubi to move into the net, to set up a beautiful backhand passing by Roddick.  First set Roddick.

In the second tiebreaker, the crowd got charged-up behind Roddick and A-Rod did not disappoint.  Besides the big serves, Roddick threw in slice backhand approaches, two-handed backhand passing shots and a new chip (short slice) backhand that A-Rod mentioned at the press conference that he has been practicing.  The end result is that Roddick is in the semis.

I paid attention to Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick interactions during the match.  It appears that Jimmy is constantly clapping, yelling and channeling his intensity at Andy’s way whenever Andy executes according to plan.  Jimmy was the “never give up player” of yesterday.  Andy is slowing getting there today.

Rafael Nadal is next.  These guys have not played each other in over two years so it’s like their first time again.  When asked whether Jimmy is going to jump out on the practice court and show Andy how to beat a relentless lefty, Roddick said he can’t wait to find out what Jimmy will show him.  That tells us Mr. Roddick is soaking in all his coach’s wisdom.

Nadal vs. Roddick will be intriguing because the strategy employed by A-Rod will most certainly be a similar strategy that would have been best used back in the 70s and 80s against Jimmy Connors.  So again, thank you Mr. Connors.

March 14th, 2007 - Andy Murray:  Looking More Like a Future Grand Slam Champion

by D.J. Lutes

The pieces are falling into place.  At the 2007 Pacific Life Open, Andy Murray is looking more and more like a grand slam champion.  It may seem a bit early, but after watching him handle Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets and after attending his press conference today, I am confident he is on the road to greatness.  Why?  Because I see he has supplemented his natural talents with the three C’s:  Coaching, Conditioning and a Champions Weapon.

Davydenko is ranked 4th in the world.  He got there through taking on a relentless schedule of tournaments all year round.  He plays consistent and persistent by using his patented cross-court “never miss to the open court” ball machine shot making strokes.  However, today Murray had executed a strategy.  Andy admitted in his press conference that “you’ve got to try to do something to upset his rhythm…whether it be by slicing, trying to bring him to net [or] playing high balls… that’s just the way I found most effective.”  Today, 14th ranked Murray beat Davydenko 6-4, 7-5. 

Coaching.  Hmmm.  That quotation above sounds like Andy got some excellent coaching.  Oh wait.  Everyone knows that Brad Gilbert has been hired by Great Britain for a “Queens ransom” to develop a grand slam champion.  Looks like BG is again doing another stellar job.

Conditioning.  There’s another improvement.  Murray admits (again at his press conference) to being able to run 2 ½ to 3 hours in the desert heat and feel OK.  I saw it myself at Indian Wells.  Now, as a result, there are less sloppy points.

Champion’s Weapon.  This is the most important piece of the puzzle for any champion.  It’s the weapon.  Again at the press conference, Andy pointed out when Roddick was #1 he was pulling the big serves or Federer is known for his big forehand or Sampras became notorious for hitting second serve aces.  (Sounds again like Gilbert eh?)

So what’s Murray’s weapon?  Big serve when needed.  During the match his first serve percentage was an abysmal 43%, but his perfectly placed 130, 131 and 136 mph serves at key moments and match point were the big difference.

The 2007 Pacific Life Open is a great test for Murray.  Just like the Pacific Life Open which seems like a fifth grand slam in the making, Murray is also grand slam champion in the making.

March 13, 2007  - Doubles with Roger Federer

by D.J. Lutes

So what happens when you put Roger Federer with Yves Allegro on a doubles court against third best doubles team in the world of Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett?  The points are explosive.  The match is close.  The stadium is packed and the better team wins. 

The fans were 10 people deep, standing room only outside of Stadium 3.  The match went to a third set 10 point tiebreaker.   Both teams had match point opportunities on two occasions in the last set.  Federer played the big points like he always does with poise and precision.  At 8-9, Federer serves an ace.  At 9-9, Federer hits another service winner instantly giving him and his partner match point.  In two shots the number one singles player (arguably one of the greatest players of all-time) flips the match back into the Swiss team’s hands.  The crowd was giddy.

But because we are talking about doubles, which is the ultimate team game, that flash of brilliance was not enough.  Less than 3 minutes later, Paul Hanley had a match point again on his serve and he closed the deal.  Hanley and Ullyett employed the strategy of pressing and forcing shots mostly in Allegro’s direction.  Paul and Kevin were a better team.  They are currently ranked third in the world not because they are lucky.  Doubles’ specialists ranked top 10 in the world are just that much better than the field.  Even if you throw in a Nadal or Federer. 

Actually the real brilliance here is Federer. Why? Because again by understanding the importance of promoting the game over giving into any personal motives, he makes his friend and fellow country man a better player.  He makes his Davis Cup doubles team stronger.  He increases the popularity of his sport through competing in doubles.  While the Federer team lost, the sport still ultimately gained.  Just ask the fans that were there.

Roddick Unstoppable at night in the desert

Does night tennis in the desert make a difference?  Oh I don’t know.  Let’s see only 2 unforced errors by Andy in the second set of his 7-6, 6-3 victory over Richard Gasquet.  When was the last time Andy played that clean?

March 12, 2007   - Lights Out.  Stars Gone.

by D.J. Lutes

It happens every couple of years at the Pacific Life Open.  Top seeds in the mens singles or doubles bracket get knocked out in the early rounds.  This year it happened again.  It is a normal function of the tennis universe.

Federer was knocked out.  Safin is gone.  Hewitt has checked out.  Blake and Baghdatis are bye-bye.  Doubles specialists Knowles/Nestor are gone.  It’s all routine.  This is no fluke.

What I find interesting is that most of these star players are losing their matches in the late afternoon or twilight hours.  Interesting.  Some believe the dry desert air is significantly lighter in the daytime causing the balls to fly and jump a bit more, then throw in some shadows and wind into the mix and you have got a real quagmire.  Oh and the US daylight-savings time that changes the day before is a factor too – even if you are just arriving from Dubai a couple days earlier… 

Wait.  Logic says that it should not matter.  Players play tennis in all types of conditions and that is just part of being a professional.  You also say that the opponent has the same issues, let the best man win and it’s the same for both players…

Look you are correct on all counts.  But it takes a combination annoying little circumstances to get someone off their game.  What does an underdog got to lose?  The underdog is supposed to lose.  Any player on the ATP tour in the top 100 is capable of keeping the match close and respectable.  At some point, however, there are enough tiny conditions that can alter even the greatest player’s game. 

What is amazing despite any of this are the lessons we learn at the press conferences from champion players like Blake and Federer.  Blake and Federer make no excuses.  The press was looking for excuses from Federer like, “You had both your ankles taped and were your ankles bothering you? What about the time-outs?  What about the blisters on your toes? “ 

And to each and every one of those comments he basically said, “No, no problems.  He played very well.” 

Blake played his prior match late in the evening wherein he did not finish his post-match stretching and icing until 1:30 a.m.  Any excuses for being perceived as “flat” or not really awake?  Nope.  He just reaffirmed that the depth of men’s tennis is incredible and there are tons of players who can just play great tennis on any given day. 

I guess that, in the end, a champion is really made not by how he handles victory, but rather how he or she responds to defeat.  No excuses. 

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