NextGen not to mention: 34-year-old Fernando Verdasco shocked Grigor Dimitrov in the second round of Indian Wells and sent the third-placed Bulgarian home. Roger Federer has to serve detention on Sunday because of the rain in the California desert.
It seemed as if Fernando Verdasco wanted to set an example with all the talk about the child delusion and the “NextGen” in world tennis. And this was impressively achieved on the fifth day of the first Masters of the season. Verdasco, already number seven in the world nine years ago, turned the watch back in its own way. The left-hander took out ATP world champion Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (7-4), 4-6,6-3 at the Masters in Indian Wells.
“Tennis has always been my life – ever since I was a baby. I just love this sport and I love playing matches. Always,”said the world rankings 39. After his coup, Verdasco asked why he was still on tour as a professional.
Roger Federer is probably also a role model for him. The two years older Meastro from Switzerland is back on the summit after his dream year 2017. In the Coachella Valley, the 20-times Grand Slam Champion wants to win his sixth Indian Well title. However, his first appearance at the BNP Paribas Open 2018 was not exactly what he wanted.
The match against the Argentinean Federico Delbonis had to be postponed to Sunday afternoon local time for the top seed Federer at 6:3,2:2 due to rainfall. In the opening movement, the industry leader had allowed itself 19 unforced mistakes – 12 of them on the forehand side. You don’t see that too often from GOAT.
Completely in the picture, however, he was on the verge of a meeting with children who had made small paintings of the great star. Four-time father Federer revealed that he had no talent for painting – and had a delicious amusement about the red “lipstick”lips that a boy had given him in his picture.
While Federer is in detention, Verdasco will face Taylor Fritz (USA) in a 20-year-old duel against Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-4,7-6 (7-4) in the match for the last 16. Borna Coric (21) from Croatia, another of the NextGen team, knocked out 30-year-old Albert Ramos-Vinolas (Spain/No. 19)6-0,6-3. On Sunday, Alexander Zverev, who is in fourth place, will also be in action for the first time.