The first Masters 1000 event of the year is underway and Spain’s Rafael Nadal is still unbeaten and going strong in the Californian dessert. After his closest rivals have all fallen, can anyone beat him?
After last night’s win against Reilly Opelka, 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-5), Nadal made an impressive 18-0 for the season.
It’s safe to say he is taking full advantage of rival Novak Djokovic’s absence from North America due to his relenting unvaccinated status.
The Spaniard is racking up the ranking points and making moves towards the world number one spot with each week he continues to impress.
There have been some major shocks at Indian Wells that have benefited him immensely.
Current world number one, Daniil Medvedev, was left stunned on Monday in the round of 32 as he was beaten by an in-form Gaël Monfils, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Although the Frenchman was subsequently beaten by Spanish youngster Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets 7-5, 6-1.
Germany’s Alexander Zverev also fell by the wayside as he was shocked by American Tommy Paul, going down 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7-2).
Following his outburst in Acapulco, speculation continues to swirl that the German should have faced a much harsher ban after only receiving a two-month suspension ban.
This meant a fine of $25,000 and no tournament ban based on future conduct rather than the incident itself.
However, his poor form has continued nonetheless, although, he can count himself fortunate to have been allowed to play in Indian Wells and Miami this month, after many viewed the punishment to be disproportionate to his actions.
Canadian pair Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger Aliassime were also left stunned, with the first going out to Opelka in the round of 32, in three sets.
Meanwhile, the former fell at the first hurdle, going out in the previous round to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, in three sets also.
Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas stumbled past a resurgent Jack Sock in three sets in the round of 64, but was left stunned by fellow American Jenson Brooksby, who played the match of his career to win 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.
And finally, Italy’s Matteo Berrettini is out too after he surprisingly lost in the round of 16 to Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanović, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4.
So, who can possibly oust Nadal?
Good question.
Nick Kyrgios is a wildcard. The Australian has a lot of history with the Spaniard, after previous bust ups.
However, the 26-year-old Aussie seems to have made peace with Nadal and has a lot of respect for the 21-time Grand Slam champion.
He could pull off a shocker in tonight’s quarter-finals and beat Nadal, but it will be tricky.
Britain’s Cameron Norrie is flying through the draw but Alcaraz is looking to go deep in a Masters 1000 for the first time, so both have another huge opportunity.
For Norrie, he is looking to defend the title he won in the autumn so 1000 points are his to protect.
This is added motivation.
The same is true for Grigor Dimitrov who has turned the form book upside down and faces Andriy Rublev for a place in the semi-finals.
He has points to defend also having made the semi-finals in October.
Having won the Cincinnati Masters, the Bulgarian is still keen to show he is a force to be reckoned with.
American Taylor Fritz, a potential darkhorse takes on Kecmanović, but whether he can win the title is another matter.
The Verdict
However, Nadal is still the firm favourite against the other seven challengers left in the field.
It is Rublev though, on the other side of the draw, that poses the biggest danger having already won titles this season in Marseille and Dubai.
The other possibility is that an Alcaraz-Nadal semi-final is what tennis fans across the globe are screaming for.
Spain’s glorious present-day champion against the future king, potentially.
If the steam of confidence continues to run for Nadal he could well win Indian Wells for the first time since 2013 but fatigue could finally catch up with him.
All to play for tonight.
