Indian Wells 2009 - Highlights

Battle in the Desert

Indian Wells is the first Masters series tournament following the Australian Open Grand Slam. It takes place in the blistering desert heat of Indian Wells, California, and is the first in a series of ATP Master level tournaments for which the champion receives 1000 ATP points - the most after a Grand Slam. Most of the players on the men's side entered the tournament. In fact, all of the top 20 players are entered, and 48 out of the top 50 players.

On the women's side, however, there were some noticeable absences. Not the least of which was Maria Sharapova, out (once again-she had also missed the Australian open) due to shoulder injury.

New Tournament Name and Increased Television Coverage

This year, the tournament name changed from the Pacific Life Open to the BNP Paribas Open, as a result of a change in the title sponsor. In addition, there will be more television coverage of this year's event. Fox Sports Network (FSN) and the Tennis Channel will cover Indian Wells 2009 together for a total of 61 hours.

Indian Wells Goes Green

BNP Paribas, the title sponsor, is implementing a recycling program. The  tournament collects and separates tennis cans, cardboard, and bottles - and sends them in for recycling. Sony Ericsson, title sponsor of the WTA, will also be collecting old cell phones at the tournament and recycling them.

Indian Wells 2009 Highlights

A Large American Representation

A large American contingent took part in this year's Indian Wells tournament. Taylor Dent, whose father was a successful tour player, leads the pack with an aggressive serve and volley game. It's good to see Taylor back in action, as a career threatening injury to his back had kept him off the courts for some time. Georgia bulldog giant John Isner also received a wild card entry. Rounding up the American contingent are Ryan Sweeting and Wayne Odesnik.

On the women's side, Vania King and Alexa Glatch, both from Southern California, along with Melanie Odin, join Jelena Dokic, Australian Open quarterfinalist and formerworld number four.

Tournament Highlights

The Men's Indian Wells 2009 Highlights

6 foot 9 American John Isner makes a good run, taking out Rochus in the first round, followed by world number nine ranked Gael Monfils in the second round, and Marat Safin in the third round. He eventually succumbs to world number six ranked Juan Martin del Potro in round three. Fish, who made it to the final last year, gets tossed out early by Chardy. Nadal, in a thrilling fourth-round encounter, saves five match points against David Nalbandian. Roddick takes out defending champion Djokovic, setting up an exciting matchup against new world number one, Rafael Nadal. Murray douses Federer's hopes of a fourth Indian Wells title as he moves into the final round. Nadal, meanwhile, cruises past American hopeful Roddick, to set up a showdown against nemesis Andy Murray. Nadal proves too much for Murray as he blows through him, and in overwhelming 6-1, 6-2 victory to recapture the Indian Wells title.

The Women's Indian Wells 2009 Highlights

On the women's side, Kutznetsova, and number two and three seeds Jelena Jankovic and Elena Dementieva were upset in the early rounds. Safina, Zvonareva, Ivanovic and Hantuchova all managed to move on. Hantuchova made an earlier than expected exit to Austrian Sybille Bammer, losing 6-2, 6-3. Meanwhile, the 17-year old youngster and Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova continues her dream run, taking out Spaniard Nuria Llagostera, after a stunning upset of the number two seed Jankovic in the second round.

Zvonareva clinches a double victory in the Indian Wells 2009 tennis gardens as she sweeps both the singles and doubles titles, in her victory over Ana Ivanovic, 7-6(5), 6-2.

Indian Wells 2009 Doubles Highlights

On the men's side, Andy Roddick and Davis Cup teammate and buddy Mardy Fish take out the experienced doubles team and defending Indian Wells champions Andy Ram and Max Mirnyi, after saving three match points in a thrilling third set tiebreaker, 3-6, 6-1, 14-12.

On the women's side, Azarenka and Zvonareva get the better of Gisela Dulko and Shahar Peer in a 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 win in the third set tiebreaker.

It's interesting to note that the women's final was moved to Sunday this year. So, Sunday ticketholders get more bang for the buck. Saturday ticketholders, meanwhile, get to see women's doubles, as well as men's doubles finals, in place of the women's final.