Matteo massacred by McDonald (6-0 6-1), the Pisan instead fights but gives in to Hijikata. The former champion still proves capable of playing at a high level, but in the long run Parry’s freshness wins out
If the first day of Indian Wells was bittersweet for the blue colours, things did not improve on the second day of competition, the last without seeds. Far from it. Out of two Italians involved, Francesco Maestrelli and Matteo Arnaldi, not even a set won against Rinky Hijikata and Mackenzie McDonald respectively. However, if the first of the two fought as well as he could, ultimately losing 7-6(5) 6-4, what is worrying is the score without appeals suffered by the Ligurian: 6-0 6-1 in an hour and three minutes. Arnaldi will see the ranking slip further. With the exit from the top 100, a constant since 2023, which seems to be getting dangerously closer. The Italian appeared unrecognizable for large stretches in what was the worst defeat of his career at ATP level, and which saw him suffer a 6-0 defeat for the fourth time.
Arnaldi collapse
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Matteo was coming off a six-week break, therefore stopped from the Australian Open, due to a foot injury. And the lack of match pace, a return to the field after some time, emerged forcefully in the first set. In the cool of the Indian Wells evening, in the middle of the desert, McDonald didn’t leave even crumbs to the blue, concluding a rapid 6-0 in 24 minutes. In the second set, partly for pride and partly for the tennis which seemed to turn in the right direction again, there was more of a match than the result suggests. At least at the beginning. Arnaldi, more lively and alert in the exchange anticipating the shots, was only missing at the moment of finishing. In fact, there were five break points in the first two return games of the set, none of which were successful. And this lack of coolness actually allowed McDonald to press the switch for a new escape and a very severe victory. In the next round he will face Cameron Norrie.
debut no
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Francesco Maestrelli’s first in a Masters 1000 is not as satisfying as the one at Slam level at the last Australian Open. The Pisan, albeit with honor, this time must surrender. Hijikata moves well and quickly on the pitch, also equipped with a good touch at the net which at times disorientates Maestrelli, who is however well present in the baseline exchange. The first break, after opportunities for both, was placed by the Australian in the sixth game, however triggering Francesco’s ability to fight. Now more and more comfortable when it comes to keeping the bar of mental stability high. And so, with even a set point cancelled, and helped by the good performance of the first, he saves the set point and then returns to force the tie-break. He will also find himself ahead 4-2, the only real regret of the match, with Hijikata recovering immediately. Instead, just one break will be enough to break the balance of a linear second set to reach the second round against Luciano Darderi. Making the hopes of the Italian derby evaporate.
infinite Venus
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On the women’s side, the most anticipated match was that of Venus Williams, on the draw with a wild card at almost 46 years of age. And the legend comes out defeated with her head held high against Diane Parry: 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1 the score in favor of the former under 19 world champion, one of the last interpreters of the one-handed backhand… but hybrid. In fact, monomaniac in the exchange, he throws the blow with two hands in response to seek more incisiveness. The results were also seen against Venus, who was able to overcome a break in the second set through pure aggression and desire. They weren’t enough, in the long run Parry’s freshness made the difference, also considering the four break points canceled out of six. But the good performance of the former world no. 1 remains, who demonstrated that he can still compete at tennis level, paying for the physical fitness. Among the results of the night, at the opposite end of her career compared to Venus, worth mentioning is the victory of the young Lilli Tagger, who became of age less than a month ago. A solid 6-2 6-4 to Varvara Gracheva which earns her an intriguing second round against Maria Sakkari.
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