Roger Federer is one of the best ever - we know that - but how can the supposed next generation still allow this man (who is quite entitled to his pension, rocking chair, and pipe and whisky on the front porch) to wander through tournaments at will, while the Zverevs, Cilics, Thiems, etc are happy to accept occasional losses to players ranked well below their respective talents ?
When will a player outside Roger and Rafa, and Andy and Novak, with occasional Stan intervention, step up consistently at big tournaments ?
The latest to flop is Grigor Dimitrov, who took his time to fully realise his talent, but did so with a stellar 2017 (albeit not firing as well at the majors).
The third seed fell in the second round this week at Indian Wells to Fernando Verdasco, the Spaniard veteran winning 7-6(4) 4-6 6-3.
This was Grigor’s first match since losing his opening match in Dubai to Malek Jaziri, who was ranked outside the top 100.
Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray, when fit and in the top four, 99% of the time didn’t / don’t drop these type of matches, and accordingly retained / retain their positions at the top. This is where Dimitrov and the like need to become more adept if they wish to push for the very top and remain there for any significant length of time.
Two other Spaniards were true to their seedings - Roberto Bautista Agut (13) disappointed fans by eliminating American Jared Donaldson 6-4 6-2, and Pablo Carreno Busta (11) ousted in form Argentine Horacio Zeballos in a thriller 3-6 6-3 7-6(3).
Except for Dimitrov, the other top ten players to take the court on Day Four made it safely through to the third round.
Dominic Thiem (5) defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2 3-6 6-3 and Kevin Anderson (7) defeated Evgeny Donskoy 7-5 6-4.
Roger Federer (1) was leading in his match with Federico Delbonis 6-3 before rain caused play to be suspended until Day Five.
Nick Kyrgios was due to play Daniil Medvedev but he withdrew from the tournament with his troubling elbow injury, and his place was taken by lucky loser from qualifying Matteo Berrettini.
Matteo lost to Medvedev, but he was not a lucky loser this time and his time in the main draw was brief.
Of the WTA matches completed, both Williams sisters won, meaning they will play each other in the third round.
A victim of their success was Kiki Bertens (29), the second player dismissed by Serena this week.
Notable upsets were instigated by wildcards - American Danielle Collins, ranked 117, outgunned compatriot Madison Keys (15) 6-3 7-6(1) and Russian 18 year old Sofya Zhuk, ranked 136, defeated Magdalena Rybarikova (18) 6-3 2-6 7-5
Caroline Wozniacki (2), Elina Svitolina (4) and Caroline Garcia (7) all won through to the third round in straight sets.
The suspension through rain was perhaps a blessing for Angie Kerber (10) as she lost the opening set to Ekaterina Makarova 3-6.
That match will be concluded on Day Five, and the yet to be started Vika Azarenka/ Sloane Stephens clash has also been rescheduled to then.
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