The Indian Wells Masters has already been a story of two generations.
Up to now in week one among 2024’s first Masters 1000 match the largest story has been Rafael Nadal’s withdrawl. The 37-year-old practiced a number of instances in what was anticipated to be his last look on the BNP Paribas Open, however he pulled out earlier than his first-round match that had been scheduled for Thursday night time (Milos Raonic ended up beating fortunate loser Sumit Nagal).
Andy Murray — until his plans to retire this summer season change — can also be making his last journey to IW. Murray defeated David Goffin 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday, however the 36-year-old Scot could also be on his approach out with Andrey Rublev subsequent up for him on Friday. Lastly, Stan Wawrinka might have mentioned goodbye to this occasion for the final time on Thursday. The 38-year-old Swiss fell to Tomas Machac in three units.
After which there may be the opposite excessive.
4 youngsters — sure, 4 — punched their tickets to the second spherical on Thursday. Jakub Mensik defeated qualifier Seongchan Hong 6-3, 6-4, Alex Michelsen made fast 6-2, 6-3 work of Jaume Munar, Arthur Fils knocked off Nuno Borges 7-6(5), 6-2, and Juncheng Shang ousted Los Cabos champion Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-3.
Mensik presently leads the race to the NextGen ATP Finals. The 18-year-old Czech lately was runner-up in Doha, the place he upset Murray and Gael Monfils. Mensik additionally reached spherical two at Melbourne Park as a qualifier and examined Hubert Hurkacz in a five-setter.
At 19, Michelsen grew to become the youngest American man to win a match at a Masters 1000 since Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz each did the identical on the Miami Masters in 2017.
Subsequent up for Michelsen is an all-American matchup with Tommy Paul on Saturday. Mensik shall be again on the court docket on Friday for a showdown in opposition to fellow rising star Ben Shelton.
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
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