It's Time for Desert Dreaming
Serena Williams was fresh from winning her sixth Australian Open when she announced her return to Indian Wells. It had been 14 years since she last played in this tournament, next to the Grand Slam events. She left with the winner's trophy - and bad memories. Many never thought this would happen. The 2015 BNP Paribas Open couldn't have a better start.
Williams, winner of 19 major singles titles, wasn't the only player making a comeback. Mardy Fish would make his first appearance in the ATP Tour in 19 months. He was in the Top 10 before he had health issues. Juan Martin del Potro was supposed to play, his second tournament this year. But he withdrew due to a nagging left wrist injury.
Most of the top players would be in California. The draw is out. Fans can look forward to these matches:
Roger Federer versus Jerzy Janowicz. It will be an intriguing match up, assuming Janowicz wins his opening match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina. The two only met once, at the Rome Masters two years ago. The Swiss won in straight sets, but this was before the Pole reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. It was his breakthrough moment. The two prefer the fast courts. There might be an upset.
Grigor Dimitrov versus Nick Kyrgios. Let's hope that Kyrgios is healthy enough, such that he'll prevail in his first-round match against Denis Kudla. The Aussie teenager performed well in the big events, while the Bulgarian recently won his exhibition match against Federer in Madison Square Garden. Many see the two to dominate the men's tour soon.
Leonardo Mayer versus Jack Sock. Mayer made Davis Cup history a week ago, beating João Souza in 6 hours and 42 minutes, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5), 5-7, 5-7, 15-13. The win made Argentina even with Brazil. (Federico Delbonis went on to clinch the tie, prevailing over Thomaz Bellucci in four sets.) Will Mayer have enough rest to beat a homegrown player? Sock must get passed Lu Yen-hsun, but many are counting on it.
Madison Keys versus Daniela Hantuchová. Keys, one of the rising stars in the WTA Tour, can meet Hantuchová, a two-time winner in Indian Wells. Youth versus experience, nothing better than it. Hantuchová must win her opening against Czech Republic's Klára Koukalová.
Ekaterina Makarova versus Timea Bacsinszky. This will be one exciting match, assuming both players reach the third round. Makarova is one of the most consistent players in the tour, reaching the semifinals in Melbourne the last two years. Bacsinszky, on the other hand, is on a winning streak. (The Swiss player recently won two tournaments, back to back.)
Flavia Pennetta versus Samantha Stosur. This can be another dramatic third-round match, in case both players prevail in the opening game. Pennetta is the defending champion, while the Aussie has good results in the hard courts. Let's see.
