Indian Wells Runs Dry

Bit of a damp squib, today’s day session as Wozniacki and del Potro both progressed to the semi-finals without playing a whole match.

Azarenka played a hotly-contested first two games with Wozniacki, went down an immediate break after having chances to break in the first game, and then was 30-0 down in the third when she pulled up mid-point as her left leg buckled under her. She hobbled off court, returned after an injury timeout and, limping, finished out the game. Her coach Samuel Sumyck advised her to “be wise” and retire, and she did. Really sad, a great disappointment and a worrying sign for the rest of the season, given that a left thigh problem troubled her for much of 2010 and prevented her getting any rhythm. Apparently the injury is to the left hip flexor. Get better soon, Vika. I’m sadfacing all over the place for you.

It was particularly poignant after Wozniacki brought a Japanese flag on to the court and asked for a minute’s silence to mark the events there, apparently something she and Vika had cooked up together.

I know I disparage Wozniacki a lot, but really, the WTA couldn’t hope for two nicer women than her and Vika.

Hot on the heels of that particular crapfest, Tommy Robredo was forced to pull out due to what I’ve heard reported as a left abductor injury, which was troubling him during his previous match with Querrey and reportedly has been a worry for some time. Robredo said he has a strain in two different places and is risking a tear. Absolutely right for him to pull out, but it’s a shame – for him, for the ticket-holders, the fans, everybody. I hope he recovers quickly.

About the only person it doesn’t entirely suck for is JMDP, who can probably go back to bed now as he is in the semi-finals, which should be happy but really isn’t under these circumstances. He will play the winner of the Nadal-Karlovic match later on tonight.