Raonic vs Dolgopolov - this will be an odd one.

First of 4 Quarterfinals at the BNP Paribas Open

By Jawad Bisharat

Today the big serving and pure tennis of Milos Rionic will face the unorthodox and unpredictable strokes of Alexandr Dolgopolov for the first time.

The two have never faced one another and we didn't expect it here. This was supposed to be Nadal vs Murray remember?? Dolgopolov spoiled that matchup by taking out Rafael Nadal in the 3rd round and then followed that with a convincing victory over Fabio Fognini yesterday 2 & 4.

Milos comes in fresh off an ankle injury but has a new level of confidence having knocked off Andy Murray after dropping the first set in yesterdays opening match. Milos who leads the tournament with aces was consistently hitting first serves over 140mph. This could prove to be the difference in today's match.

I have to give the nod and straight set victory to Rionic today. His game is too big for Dolgo to handle...I also said that when he played Nadal.  This will be a positive tournament for both players win or lose both having beaten a top ten player.

In the night match Roger Federer will take on another big server in Kevin Anderson. Anderson who spoiled the Swiss party by defeating Stan Wawrinka in 3 sets yesterday. Roger has only faced Anderson one previous time having won that match 6-4 6-4 in the 2013 Paris Masters.

Federer is in full flight going into today's match. With a 17-2 record in 2014 the rumblings of another major could be in the stars as he continues to improve his game after the racket change he adopted late last year. Going to a 98 sq inch head size has given Federer easy power and has moved him closer into the court during baseline rallies. Having played 32% of his shots inside the baseline in 2014 Australian Open. This is an improvement from 28% in the prior year.

Anderson is on a run of his own having reached the finals of his prior 2 tournaments. With hs big win over #5 Stan Wawrinka he sent a message to the other players that he is not just a big serve but a real force to recon with.  The 6'8" South African will look to serve big and shorten the points today against Federer but at the end Roger's experience and game will prove too strong for Anderson.

I'm off to the BNP Paribas Open

The 5th Slam, BNP Paribas Open By Jawad Bisharat

My favorite tournament of the year, the BNP Paribas open, aka the 5th slam. This tournament has all the makings of a Grand Slam. It hosts both the ATP and WTA attracting every top player in the world. A two week event with the highest attendance level other then the 4 majors.

The BNP Paribas Open, formally the Pacific Life Open, was the first and only tournament in the world to include shot spot on every court. With the backing of tech Mogul Larry Ellison this event will only be getting better.

If you plan to attend this year you will be rewarded with intimate practice courts used by all the players, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and more. Walk up and watch you favorite player up close and personal playing a practice set or just having a hit.

There is a large screen display of the stadium court matches. You can relax in the beer garden without missing any of the action. Oh, did I mention the weather...80 degrees and sunny suit your taste?

Indian Wells is just 20 miles east of Palm Springs, Ca. It has beautiful resorts and hotels within the city and the surrounding area. My favorite, the La Quinta Resort and Spa, is where many of the pros stay during the 2 weeks.

If you're a tennis fan then this event has to be on your go to list.
For more information visit www.bnpparibasopen.com

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Federer come back to win in 3

Roger Federer stepped out on the court today against the #128th player and in the world and wild card Malek Jaziri at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Jaziri who has been ranked as high as 69 had not played an ATP World Tour match since October of 2012. Although, Jaziri must have not received the memo that he was playing Roger Federer today because he came out guns blazing and going toe to the toe with Fed. Federer after the match said

 "It important to sort of react and make sure I didn't panic," said Federer. "But, of course your mind starts to wander, especially in a match where there is hardly any rallies. He's going for broke on every return. All you're trying to do is get into some rallies, and you're missing a lot yourself."

"It was a difficult match for me out here tonight, but I'm happy I found a way and got a day off now so I can work a little bit on the game. Just maybe the pressure is off a little bit, and then automatically I will play a lot better in the second round."

I did have a problem with Jaziri, more then once in  the first set, pointing to the sky the #1 sign after hitting an impressive passing shot. But someone needs to give Malek a lesson in tennis edicate 101. I have no issue with a fist pump, a "Come on" but to point into the sky #1 when you are playing the greatest player in history, well, that takes some gall and a gesture not even used by the likes of Nadal.

Federer wins in 3 at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

By Jawad Bisharat

Federer must have seen that on the Jumbo tron because the stars quickly realigned and Federer broke Jaziri early on the take a strangle hold of the match. Federer only conceded 2 of the last 14 games to win 5-7 6-0 6-2.

Jaziri proved he could hang with the big boys today, for a set at least, but he has a long way to go. Not playing a tour match for 3 months proved to be costly as Jaziri appeared to not have the fitness level to compete with Federer.


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Could 1 point really have changed the outcome?

Can 1 point really change the outcome of a 6 hour match? I believe so. It might sound crazy that one swing of the racket can determine the winner of a 5 set 6 hour match but I believe that was the case in the Australian Open Men's Final.
Rafa Nadal was up a break 30-15 serving in the 5th set when he had an easy open court backhand put away. He pulled the shot just wide making the score 30-30 as opposed to 40-15. Anyone that play tennis knows this is a big difference. Nadal ended up giving back the break and later losing the match to Djokovic. Although it may never be mentioned that one swing of the racket could have changed the outcome of what in my opinion was one of the most hard fought matches I have ever witnessed.

Remember Federer's drop shot at set point in the French Open Final last year? Roger's shot was out by 1 inch keeping Rafa in the 1st set. Roger lost that game and the most important 1st set to, as we know, lose in 4 sets.
It is hard to know what points change a match until you watch a match the second time knowing who already won. You will see that 1 point here or 1 point there will set a road to the outcome.

Moral of the story, play every point like match point and dig out every game you can because you never know which point will determine the winner.