BNP Paribas Open announces wildcards

From BNP Paribas Open 

FORMER TOP-FIVE PLAYERS, AMERICANS AND INTERNATIONAL STARS

GRANTED WILDCARDS INTO BNP PARIBAS OPEN MAIN DRAWS

Qualifying Wildcards Given To Seven Americans,

German Andrea Petkovic, and Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic

INDIAN WELLS, Calif., Feb. 27, 2012 – Former top-five players David Nalbandian, Tommy Robredo, James Blake and Kimiko Date-Krumm; Americans Tim Smyczek, Steve Johnson, Madison Keys, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Maria Sanchez, Melanie Oudin and Taylor Townsend; and Shahar Peer and Kristina Mladenovic were granted wildcards into the main draws of the BNP Paribas Open, to be held March 4 - 17 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, it was announced today by Steve Simon, tournament director.

David Nalbandian has won 11 ATP World Tour titles since turning professional in 2000 and reached the 2002 Wimbledon finals in his first appearance at the event. The Argentine and former World No. 3 will be making his tenth appearance at the BNP Paribas Open. Last year in Indian Wells, Nalbandian equaled his best result, reaching the quarterfinals for the second time in his career.

Former World No. 5 Tommy Robredo is continuing his comeback to the ATP World Tour after an injury derailed much of his 2012 season. The Spaniard has won 10 career titles and has reached five Grand Slam quarterfinals. American James Blake, former World No. 4, also has 10 career titles and defeated then-World No. 2 Rafael Nadal to reach the 2006 BNP Paribas Open finals. Kimiko Date-Krumm turned pro in 1989 and is currently the oldest player in the top 100 at 43 years old. The former World No. 4 has eight career singles titles and four doubles titles, including one in 2013 at Pattaya City.

In addition to Blake, seven other Americans have been granted wildcards into the main draws including two-time NCAA Champion from USC Steve Johnson, who reached the third round of the 2012 US Open; Milwaukee native Tim Smyczek, who is at a career-high ranking just outside the top 100 and pushed World No. 4 David Ferrer to four sets at the 2013 Australian Open; 19-year-old breakout star Madison Keys, who has already defeated five top-50 players in 2013 and cracked the top 80 earlier this month; WTA veteran Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who won the 2012 Australian Open Mixed Doubles title; another USC standout – Maria Sanchez, who is at a career-high ranking after jumping 560 ranking places in 2012 – more than any other player in the WTA; Georgia native Melanie Oudin captured her first WTA title last year in Birmingham (UK); and 17-year-old Taylor Townsend, who turned professional in 2012 after reaching the top of the junior rankings earlier that year.

Two other international players receiving main draw wildcards are Israeli Shahar Peer, who was a BNP Paribas Open quarterfinalist in 2007 and 2011 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 11 and French teenager Kristina Mladenovic, who is at a career-high ranking after defeating three top-25 players to reach the Paris semifinals earlier this year.

“This year’s main draw wildcards span from seasoned veterans, to rising American and international stars to those returning from injury,” said Simon. “Awarding wildcards to players like David Nalbandian, James Blake, Madison Keys and Taylor Townsend add to the allure of early-round matches for fans and provide the potential for these deserving athletes to break through and make a move up their respective Tour’s rankings.

Qualifying wildcards were given to Americans Christian Harrison, Jack Sock, Rhyne Williams, Dennis Novikov, Grace Min, Jessica Pegula and Irina Falconi, German Andrea Petkovic and Croatian Ajla Tomljanovic.

Donald Young moves on in Memphis

Donald Young moves on in US National Indoor Tennis Championships 
By Jawad Bisharat

Feb. 20th, 2013
Donald Young has definitely been struggling of late on the ATP Tour. His ranking has fallen to 200 in the world and this year has not started any better. Young failed to qualify for the Australian Open and has only played one main draw match which was in San Jose last week. Young lost in the first round after qualifying. Today however proved to be a little different. Every player needs a break now and then and today could be the small break Donald needed to get his year kick started. He faced the X-man, Xavier Malisse in the 1st round of the US National Indoor Championships in Memphis. Young jumped out to a 5-1 lead when Malisse retired giving Young a virtual walkover to the 2nd round. Young will have to face another young but tough opponent in Kei Nishikori in the upcoming round. 

In other action, the quit, but effective, Tommy Haas who has crawled his way back to #18 in the world earned a 7-6 (6) 6-4 win over E. Donskoy of Russia. Haas will face Feliciano Lopez in the 2nd round. 

Feb. 19th, 2013
Defending champion Jurgen Melzer was ousted in the first round by up and comer Igor SIjsling 6-4 7-6(3). Melzer currently ranked 27 in the world ran into a tough opponent in Slingling who reached the Australian open doubles final with countryman Robin Haase. 

Also in a surprising lose, John Isner fell to #63 in the world Denis Istomin 6-4 6-3. Isner currently ranked 16 was limited to 5 aces in in a match that took exactly 1 hour to complete. 

In other action, American Sam Querrey hit 6 aces to defeat Falla 6-3 6-3. Also, James Blake is on the come back trail with a gutsy 3 set win over Mayer of Germany 4-6 6-3 6-2. Blake converted 5 of 6 break points and served up 10 aces which helped push him into the second round. 

At the Copa Claro in Buenos Aires, Tommy Robredo and Leonardo Mayer both move on. Albert Montanes won in 3 after dropping the first set 7-5. Montanes only converted 4 of 15 break chances on his way to the 2nd round where he will face wild card  Federico Delbonis.  

Catch all the action by visiting our live scoring page above. 

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