Back to business ?

Taylor Fritz had a very sad Indian Wells, his favorite tournament. Wake-up call or the start of a spell short on victories?

Two official matches between the two men, and two wins for VDZ with the same score: 6/4 7/6. A Fritzou who’s getting countered a bit too much?

We know the American is very comfortable once he’s in cruise control, winning his service games pretty easily and putting pressure on return. With VDZ, apparently it’s different. I don’t remember their previous meetings, but just VDZ playing a top-10 American in Miami, that already gets me hyped. The Dutchman often shows up where you least expect him, but now, well, we *are* expecting him ;). His match against Shapo was very solid, with his style and those big counterpunching strengths we know so well.

Nah, my main question here is about the American. His last match against Michelsen was just terrible. He mentioned the wind as his main enemy. I think the wind + the pressure of having to win at Indian Wells did make him play tight, just putting everything back in without any real intent, while Michelsen kept attacking effectively.

The problem is that his previous tournament in Delray wasn’t convincing either. Nor was Dallas. Nor the Australian Open. At least, not at his top-10 level anyway. Not much wind expected today, but cloudy skies during the time they’ll be playing. So: humidity. So: a less effective serve. If VDZ manages to return well, and thus neutralize the American’s biggest weapon, then there’s definitely a chance...