2022 Indian Wells SF: [20] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs [7] Andrey Rublev (RUS)

[James P]

So, this is the fifth meeting between the two if you include their meeting at the 2018 ATP NextGen Finals [2-2]:

Year	Event	Surface	Round	Winner	Result
2021	ATP Masters 1000 Paris France	Indoor Hard	R32	Taylor Fritz	75 762
2021	Dubai U.A.E.	Outdoor Hard	R16	Andrey Rublev	63 61
2018	Next Gen ATP Finals Italy	Indoor Hard	RR	Andrey Rublev	42 14 34 43 42
2018	ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A.	Outdoor Hard	R64	Taylor Fritz	64 764

Will Rublev continue his domination of the past 4-5 weeks, or can Fritz take a step forward?

 

[Trip]

As much as I'd like to see Taylor win, I'm not sure his ground game is consistent enough or high-power enough to hang with Bweh over the long haul. I would love to be proven wrong, though! If Taylor can somehow nab the first set, he might steal it in 3. Otherwise, Bweh in 2.

 

[stringertom]

So, this is the fifth meeting between the two if you include their meeting at the 2018 ATP NextGen Finals [2-2]:

Year	Event	Surface	Round	Winner	Result
2021	ATP Masters 1000 Paris France	Indoor Hard	R32	Taylor Fritz	75 762
2021	Dubai U.A.E.	Outdoor Hard	R16	Andrey Rublev	63 61
2018	Next Gen ATP Finals Italy	Indoor Hard	RR	Andrey Rublev	42 14 34 43 42
2018	ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A.	Outdoor Hard	R64	Taylor Fritz	64 764

Will Rublev continue his domination of the past 4-5 weeks, or can Fritz take a step forward?

Their very first encounter at the Chengdu Junior Masters was a teenage epic af throw down. I gave a link in the tournament thread if you wish to watch the decisive third set.

Rublev will be very tough for Fritz tomorrow. He’s reaching a new high since returning from Oz, both in performance level but, more importantly, mental attitude.

Ruby in 2.

 

[dapchai]

Fritz's hottie to witness her BF getting BWEHed in 2.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Rooting for Fritz and expecting Rublev to win ): There's always hope until there isn't any so maybe Fritz will surprise us!

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

What do people think? A quick match or a three set thriller?

 

[Darksong]

Hope it’s a quick match as everyone is pumped for Nadal v Alcaraz round 2.

 

[Trip]

@Vamos Rafa Nadal - I think it mostly depends on how Fritz shows up, less so Bweh. If Fritz's serve is on and he levels up at the baseline, it could be interesting. That's one reasonable "if" and one questionable "if"...

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

When confronted with the question posted by the OP in the poll I decided to do a go for broke prediction and say Fritz in 2!!!! WTH, it's just for fun and it's what I want to see happen!!!!

 

[_phantom]

Yes, Fritz in two. A quick match, please.

 

[Rattie]

What do people think? A quick match or a three set thriller?

Straight sets to Andrey.

 

[flyingboris]

A quick match, please.

Yes, I love appetizers, but I'm ready for the main dish.

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Yay, the match has begun!!!!

 

[MichaelNadal]

This match was supposed to start 27 minutes ago. Why are we 3 points in? Smh

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Fritz holds to win the first game of the match...

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

So, this is the fifth meeting between the two if you include their meeting at the 2018 ATP NextGen Finals [2-2]:

Year	Event	Surface	Round	Winner	Result
2021	ATP Masters 1000 Paris France	Indoor Hard	R32	Taylor Fritz	75 762
2021	Dubai U.A.E.	Outdoor Hard	R16	Andrey Rublev	63 61
2018	Next Gen ATP Finals Italy	Indoor Hard	RR	Andrey Rublev	42 14 34 43 42
2018	ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells CA, U.S.A.	Outdoor Hard	R64	Taylor Fritz	64 764

Will Rublev continue his domination of the past 4-5 weeks, or can Fritz take a step forward?

They just said that Fritz is 3-0 vs top ten players at Indian Wells - I notice in this graphic that Taylor has won both ATP 1000 matches he has played vs Rublev... makes me a bit hopeful but Rublev has been playing really well lately...

 

[El_Yotamo]

This match was supposed to start 27 minutes ago. Why are we 3 points in? Smh

Apparently the WTA doubles match preceding them only ended just before 1 PM local time

 

[happyandbob]

Let's go, convert one of these

 

[El_Yotamo]

Rublev looking quite awkward and uncomfortable out there so far, Fritz isn't looking that great either tbh. Both moving very poorly

 

[happyandbob]

Break!

 

[_phantom]

Yes, I love appetizers, but I'm ready for the main dish.

Fritz has listened. 3-0.

 

[TopspintheTerrible]

Man the crowds this year (and last) really seem to be lacking…

 

[flyingboris]

OK that was fun!

 

[SeeingDusk]

Fritz already up 4-1. He’s hitting so big off both wings and serving huge.

 

[junior74]

Fritz is better than himself out there

 

[SeeingDusk]

Man the crowds this year (and last) really seem to be lacking…

cause of covid

 

[Trip]

It would appear Fritz has shown up today. Hope he can stay consistent.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Rublev is the definition of majoring in minors. He never shows up for the big tournaments

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

A lesson on the relationship between stats and quality of play: that break game has only 2 UEs in 12 points, which sounds great, but the actual quality was nothing but mediocre: weak 2nd serves punished (not punished them would be a failure), slow/unsteady movement, no shotmaking variety. No numbers cover the extent of the mugness of the standard of play anymore.

 

[RF-18]

It's crazy how every draw Nadal is in falls apart. Might be the luckiest player in history of both individual and team based sports.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Rublev with surprisingly poor play!

 

[TopspintheTerrible]

cause of covid

You think? I mean last year, I kinda get it. But I expected much heavier crowds this year.

 

[AnOctorokForDinner]

Rublev is the definition of majoring in minors. He never shows up for the big tournaments

Two masters finals last year. Easily lost, yes - that's his "showing up", dude's got a clear ceiling. The problem is underperforming in slams, hasn't reached QF in a year.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Two masters finals last year. Easily lost, yes - that's his "showing up", dude's got a clear ceiling. The problem is underperforming in slams, hasn't reached QF in a year.

He peaked in 2020 when he won like a hundred ATP 500 tournaments

 

[junior74]

It's crazy how every draw Nadal is in falls apart. Might be the luckiest player in history of both individual and team based sports.

Lucky? He has a career threatening injury, and you call him lucky???

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Wow! That was an odd df!

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

EEK!

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Did it hit the line? Thought it was out...

 

[flyingboris]

cause of covid

..and perhaps a profound lack of Novak and Roger?

 

[flyingboris]

Did it hit the line? Thought it was out...

Funny, assuming that was about that second serve that Rublev hit 20ft out.

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Nice shot!

 

[flyingboris]

Sweet volley by Fritz to get another break point.

 

[flyingboris]

Taylor, please, there's real tennis coming up!

 

[Rattie]

I didn’t expect this start

 

[Vamos Rafa Nadal]

Rublev throwing a temper tantrum...

 

[guanzishou]

Lol Rublev going mad

 

[happyandbob]

Would an umpire call racquet abuse if you end up breaking your racquet against your own leg?

 

[clayqueen]

Can a player call an MTO for self harm?

 

[flyingboris]

Weirdest self flagellation in a while..

 

[guanzishou]

Fritz playing so aggressively. I like what I see! That backhand volley winner was awesome!