The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells features Nick Kyrgios up against Denis Kudla. The Tennis review previews their match and predicts the result.
Nick Kyrgios (AUS) Vs Denis Kudla (U.S.A)
Ranked 37, Nick Kyrgios is the highest ranked ATP player on the schedule today and has earned the right to headline Friday night’s Stadium 1 match.
The 19 year old reached the quarter finals of Wimbledon 2014 and this year’s Australian Open, and his big serve, attacking game, athleticism and shot-making will certainly get the crowd going.
This will be Kyrgios’ first match since injury forced him off the tour after the Australian Open. So, the first round might be the best time to catch him and take advantage of any rustiness.
His opponent, Denis Kudla, a former junior world No. 3 and runner up at the U.S Open juniors, will have a shot.
Kudla, aged 22, may be 2-4 on the ATP tour this year, but he has managed to qualify for two main draws, in Brisbane and Memphis, and, as a wildcard, took Feliciano Lopez to 10-8 in the fifth set in their Australian Open first round match. That hard court form certainly justifies the home player’s wildcard and indicates he has what it takes to make a match of this first round encounter.
Kudla will also have the home support, but that won’t scare off Kyrgios. What might scare off the youngster a bit is if Kudla can get some balls back on the slow Indian Wells courts. Kyrgios likes to control rallies and get them over with sooner rather than later, and with 6 weeks out of action, he may find it tough to be consistent if the rallies go past five shots.
Kudla will be helped by the colder night conditions which will slow the court down, giving him a better chance with extending rallies and a better shot at returning the Kyrgios serve.
The American will certainly strong strategic support with the experienced Tom Gullickson as his coach, and if Kudla can combine his own aggressive play with some strong defense, he might have a chance to make the second round of Indian Wells for the second time in his career (lost to Federer, 2012)
Prediction: Kudla has a chance, but Kyrgios is a big match player, will enjoy the night time atmosphere and will be well-prepared if a touch rusty. The Australian will find his game though and eventually win in three.
Commentary by Christian Deverille
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