Previous BNP Paribas Open Coverage

Lauren Davis picked up quite possibly the most significant win of her career on Friday night when she knocked out #3 Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open 6-0, 7-6 (2). Davis is now into the third round where she’ll face another American, Varavara Lepchenko, guaranteeing we’ll have at least one American woman in the round of 16.

Women’s Singles

Click Image to Expand

I mentioned in the opening how Lauren Davis took full advantage of her opportunity against Victoria Azarenka to get a major upset and move into the third round. Her opponent in the third round, Varvara Lepchenko, also upset her opponent, Daniela Hantuchova, on Friday 6-3, 6-2. Madison Keys lost 3-6, 3-6 to Robert Vinci to end her hopes of making some noise in Indian Wells while Shelby Rogers saw her tournament end 4-6, 3-6 to Magadalena Rybarikova.

On Saturday the top-ten upset chance will be presented to Coco Vandeweghe who takes on world #9 Petra Kvitova. 17-year-old Taylor Townsend has an exciting matchup with #20 Flavia Pennetta while Sloane Stephens will finally get started as she takes on Ajla Tomljanovic to wrap up the day in Stadium 1. Stephens has struggled in tournaments the last month but with a big chance here and playing in the main court I imagine she’ll show up for this one.

Women’s Doubles

Click Image to Expand

The US doubles teams have fallen quickly in the first round. The only Americans left, Raquel Kops-Jones/Abigail Spears, advanced by beating another American, Megan Moulton-Levy and partner Sharon Fichman of Canada, 7-6 (4), 6-2 on Friday. Moulton-Levy/Fichman replaced Lisa Raymond/Shuai Zhang (China).

Kops-Jones/Spears will take on #5 Cara Black/Sania Mirza on Saturday to try and remain the last Americans in the field.

Men’s Singles

Click Image to Expand

The US went 0-4 on Friday in the first round but it wasn’t real unexpected as three of  the four were ranked 119 or worse. Hopefully that number doesn’t repeat itself as four Americans play in the second round on Saturday. The best chance for a winner for the US is likely Sam Querrey who takes on #29 Andreas Seppi. The other three US players to play on Saturday (Tim Smyczek, Michael Russell, Ryan Harrison) are all outside the top 100 and will be looking for big upsets.

Men’s Doubles

Click Image to Expand

Their are only four American men’s doubles teams playing in the tournament and two of them will be extremely challenged in the first round today. Eric Butorac/Raven Klaasen (South Africa) take on #2 Alexander Peya/Bruno Soares in one matchup while Scott Lipsky/Florian Mayer (Germany) face the #1 team in the world, Americans Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan. The Americans are likely to have a team deep in to the tournament in Bryan/Bryan but it’s quite possible they will be the only ones to advance from the first round too.

Broadcasting Information:

Tennis Channel will be broadcasting the tournament from 2 PM – 2 AM ET while ESPN3.com has streams of the play at three stadiums that will include 3 of the 7 singles matches involving the US on Thursday including Sloan Stephens.

Schedule:

• March 8th – Tennis Channel – 2 PM-2 AM ET
  • Men’s Second Round
    • 2 PM ET – Michael Russell vs. #14 Mikhail Youzhny
    • Approx. 4 PM ET – Sam Querrey vs.  #29 Andreas Seppi
    • Approx. 6 PM ET – Tim Smyczek vs. #28 Alexandr Dolgopolov
    • Approx. 8 PM ET – Ryan Harrison vs.  #13 Fabio Fognini – Stadium 3 – ESPN3.com
  • Women’s Second Round
    • Approx. 4 PM ET – Coco Vandeweghe vs. #8 Petra Kvitova – Stadium 3 – ESPN3.com
    • Approx. 8 PM ET – Taylor Townsend vs. #20 Flavia Pennetta
    • Approx. 12 AM ET – #17 Sloane Stephens vs. Ajla Tomljanovic – Stadium 1 – ESPN3.com
  • Women’s Doubles Round of 16
    • Approx. 6 PM ET – Raquel Kops-Jones/Abigail Spears vs. #5 Cara Black/Sania Mirza
  • Men’s Doubles First Round
    • 2 PM ET – Eric Butorac/Raven Klaasen (South Africa) vs. #2 Alexander Peya/Bruno Soares
    • Approx. 12 AM ET – #1 Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan vs. Scott Lipsky/Florian Mayer (Germany) – Stadium 2 – ESPN3.com