Indian Wells 2011 Semifinals Preview

by Craig Hickman

Well, here we are. The ATP is calling it Super Saturday. I'm calling it the BNP Paribas Open semifinals.


Reuters

The most intriguing match is the first semi between reigning World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and comeback giant Juan Martín del Potro, two great players both on the mend from recent injuries. The Argentinean has a tournament win under his belt this year and with that jolt of confidence is playing freer with every match. He bettered Philipp Kohlschrieber in two intense tiebreak sets in the quarters. That kind of clutch tennis will be required if he is to win his first Masters Shield in the desert. (Trivia: can you name any active players who've won Slams before Masters?)

Rafa, on the other hand, who saw his chance at history slip away in the quarterfinals of Melbourne when he fell to compatriot David Ferrer is struggling with confidence. His first serve has deserted him in two high-pressure games this week, the final set breaker against Ivo Karlovic where he needed 4 match points to finally prevail, and serving to stay in the first set with doubles partner Marc Lopez against reigning Olympic Gold Medalists Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka. In the latter, he doubled faulted twice in the game to drop the set.

While the World No. 1 holds a slim 4-3 edge in their head-to-head, the slender giant with the missile forehand has won their last three meetings, all on hardcourts, all in North America. Will Rafa get revenge or will history repeat?

Reuters

Reuters

In the second semifinal, Novak Djokovic, who hasn't lost a match in 2011, faces the World No. 2, who's only won one title in 2011. Head-to-head is 13-8, advantage Raja, though they've split their last 8 meetings, with Djoke winning the last two, both this year. Until struggling to find his rhythm against the looping forehands of Richard Gasquet, Djoke had barely lost any games to advance to the quarters.

Raja's been relatively efficient in his draw as well, but was tested by young American Ryan Harrison in the first set of the 16's to set up a date with his whipping boy doubles partner in the quarters. Simply put, whoever prevails, this match is squarely on Djoke's racquet.

Oh, yeah. And the No. 2 ranking is on the line.

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