Event of the Day: Indian Wells Masters Day 11
Our event of the day is the final day of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells. The tournament ends with the singles’ finals of both the ATP World Tour and the WTA World Tour events.
The defending champion in Men’s competition, Roger Federer, aims for a record-braking sixth title in California. In his semi-final, the world number one from Switzerland beat Borna Ćorić of Croatia, having to make a comeback from one set down – 5-7, 6-4, 6-4. He’ll come up against the world number eight from Argentina, Juan Martin del Potro, who dispatched Canadian Milos Raonic easily in the second semi-final clash – 6-2, 6-3. The Women’s singles tournament will get a new champion as the surprising finalists are ranked number 19 and 44 in the current WTA rankings. Russian 29th seed Daria Kasatkina faces the unseeded Naomi Osaka from Japan. Osaka beat world number one Simona Halep in her semi-final, in some style – 6-3, 6-0; and knocked out two other former number ones, Maria Sharapova and Karolina Plíšková, en route to the final. Kasatkina was equally impressive, beating former world number ones in three consecutive matches from the fourth round – reigning Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and lastly Venus Williams in Friday’s dramatic semi-final 4-6, 6-4, 7-5. Along the way, each of the talented 20-year-olds has lost only one set. This is the first time Osaka and Kasatkina go head-to-head, and it is a title decider. It’s going to be a thrilling final day of tennis at Indian Wells.
Honourable mentions around the globe go to the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup between Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm in Gloucester. Bath beat Northampton Saints 13-12 in the semi-final, while Exeter defeated Newcastle Falcons 20-17. The first race of the new Moto GP season is the Qatar Grand Prix which takes place at the Losail International Circuit, Frenchman Johann Zarco of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 starts in pole position. It’s Day 4 of the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando. In Ligue 1, Marseille host Lyon at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. In the FA Cup quarter-final, Leicester City face Chelsea at the King Power Stadium in Leicester. In the NBA there is the clash between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Houston Rockets at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The big clash in the NHL sees the Anaheim Ducks taking on the New Jersey Devils at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Bangladesh and India meet in the final of the Nidahas T20 Tri-Series at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. In Super Rugby, the Waratahs matchup with the Rebels at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
***Anglo-Welsh Cup Final has been postponed***
Photos by BNP Paribas Open