Event of the Day: Indian Wells Masters Day 2
Our event of the day is the second day of the ATP World Tour and third day of the WTA World Tour BNP Paribas Open event at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. The tournament is one of nine Masters 1000 events on the men’s tour and one of four Premier Mandatory events on the women’s tour. Roger Federer of Switzerland, winner of a record 20 Grand Slam titles and the world number one, defends the trophy in the men’s singles tournament. With last year’s triumph, Federer equaled Novak Djokovic’s five titles in California. The Serbian has recovered from an elbow injury and plays his first tournament since the Australian Open.
In the women’s singles tournament, Russian Elena Vesnina is the defending champion. Home favourite and the champion from 1999 and 2001, Serena Williams, makes her comeback with her first singles match in 14 months, after giving birth to her daughter last year. Another new mother and two-time champion (2012 and 2016), Victoria Azarenka, returns to action after eight months of absence. Other players to watch out for in the women’s singles are the current top three players in the world; Simona Halep, Caroline Wozniacki and Garbiñe Muguruza. In the men’s singles, there is first round action, including an all-French duel between Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Gilles Simon. The women’s draw enters the second round, including a match between British player Johanna Konta and Markéta Vondroušová from the Czech Republic. It’s going to be an exciting day of tennis at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the 2nd match of the Test series between South Africa and Australia at St. George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Australia won the first Test played in Durban by 118 runs. It’s Day 2 of the Valspar Championship at the Innisbrook Golf Club in Palm Harbor; and Day 2 of the Hero Indian Open at the Delhi Golf Club in New Delhi. In Super Rugby, the Highlanders face the Stormers at the Forsyth Bar Stadium in Dunedin; while the Rebels take on the Brumbies at AAMI Park in Melbourne. In the NBA, there’s a big clash between the Conferences leaders - the Toronto Raptors and the Houston Rockets, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto; and an encounter between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors at the Moda Center in Portland. In the NHL, the Dallas Stars come up against the Anaheim Ducks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. In the NRL, the Knights host the Sea Eagles at the McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle; while the Cowboys welcome the Sharks to the 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by WTA; ATP World Tour