tennis gut

  Indian Wells 2022 10 March 2022   Women’s Draw The first day of play is already in the books, but the seeds don’t play until tomorrow.  Without Ashleigh Barty present, this tournament feels completely unanchored – literally anything could happen.  Naomi Osaka is back, but hasn’t rounded into form yet, will she do it during the tournament?  And what about Iga Swiatek, recent winner of the 1000 in Doha? There are at least 15 former slam finalists or winners in the draw.   First Quarter Barbora Krejcikova was set to be the #1 seed but withdrew shortly after the draw was released.  That leaves the highest seed here as Karolina Pliskova (#7) who hasn’t played a match this year. More likely to battle for this quarter I think, are Simona Halep (24) or Emma Raducanu (11).  Raducanu suffered an injury in Australia that forced her to slice all her forehands, yet she still won a match there.  She should be significantly more potent with a functioning forehand.  There is so little

  Indian Wells 2022 10 March 2022   Men’s Draw Rafael Nadal has been tearing up the tour this year – going undefeated in three tournaments and claiming a record-breaking 21 st  slam tournament in Australia.  Will his streak continue? Or will the newly-crowned #1, Daniil Medvedev get revenge in the desert at Indian Wells? Could someone else rise to the fore? As I begin writing, the first men’s match start time is an hour away, so hopefully not too many matches are completed by the time I’m done – and this remains a true preview.   First Quarter Daniil Medvedev’s rise to the #1 spot, a life-long dream, couldn’t have had worse timing – coinciding with Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, incurring international approbation for his home country.  Medvedev lamented the pro-Djokovic crowd that wanted to see a Grand Slam completed at last year’s US Open, the site of Medvedev’s crowning achievement, a slam title.  And he was particularly disconsolate after the Aus Open title match