© 2012 Daily Tennis News Wire -
BNP Paribas Open
Indian Wells
Friday Men's Summary


Singles - Quarterfinal: (2) R Nadal def. D Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4
This time, David Nalbandian's inability to finish off an opponent cost him. This took Rafael Nadal more than two and a half hours -- potentially a big disadvantage in the semifinal, especially since he had the later match -- but Nadal came through. Which means no Top Fifty spot for Nalbandian, at least yet. Nadal remains #2, of course -- and he faces Roger Federer next, which seems as if it should be good news for him.

Singles - Quarterfinal: (3) R Federer def. (9) J del Potro 6-3 6-2
Juan Martin del Potro contributed mightily to his destruction in this match. He disagreed violently with a line call in a long first game, but HawkEye was not available and the chair umpire did not see it clearly enough to overrule. A steamed del Potro lost the game, and stayed steamed enough to go down 3-0. It was too late to save the first set after that. He also had a break chance as Roger Federer served for the match, but failed to convert. That means that del Potro will fall from #9 to #10, and John Isner could still pass him if Isner can make the final -- which, to be sure, requires beating Novak Djokovic. Roger Federer stays #3, but he is now almost as close to #2 Nadal as to #4 Murray.

Doubles - Semifinal: Isner/Querrey def. (2) Mirnyi/Nestor 6-4 6-2
What a week for John Isner! Semifinal in singles, final in doubles -- he's the only man still standing in both. He can also claim to have done a lot for his Davis Cup teammates the Bryans. Had Mirnyi/Nestor won Indian Wells, they would have been within spitting distance of #1. As it is, Isner and Sam Querrey have given the brothers some breathing room.