Friday, March 16, 2018 - John Isner & Jack Sock play Oliver Marach & Mate Pavic in the Semifinal of the BNP Paribas Open in Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Michael Cummo/BNP Paribas Open)
For the first time since 1981, when Bruce Manson/Brian Teacher defeated Terry Moor/Eliot Teltscher, there will be an all-American men’s doubles final (not before 3 p.m.). Legends Bob and Mike Bryan — the holders of a record 16 Grand Slam doubles titles — will face good pals and oft-Davis Cup teammates John Isner and Jack Sock.
If anyone knows what it’s like to deal with career-threatening injuries, it’s Juan Martin Del Potro and Milos Raonic. After winning the 2009 US Open and rising to a career-high No. 4, Delpo had no fewer than four wrist surgeries between 2010 and 2015, and his very future in the sport was an uncertainty. Raonic climbed to No. 3 in 2016, the same year he reached the Wimbledon final, only to undergo wrist surgery himself. Both have reached the final here before, Del Potro in 2013, Raonic in 2016. Who’s ready for a return?
Semifinal No. 1 will feature the world No. 1. Five-time titlist and top seed Roger Federer faces zoning Croat Borna Coric (11 a.m.) for a shot at the final. They have met only once before, in the 2015 Dubai semis, with the Swiss scoring a 6-2, 6-1 win. But a more experienced Coric, now 21, should prove a tougher test. He surrendered just nine games through his first three matches at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and fended off No. 7 seed and 2017 US Open runner-up Kevin Anderson in the quarters.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with a green bead giveaway for the first 3,000 fans through the gates, and bagpipe music at the Circle of Palms.
She won the singles title last year. Now Elena Vesnina will go for the doubles crown. Joining Ekaterina Makarova, with whom she captured Olympic gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016, the Russian will face Su-Wei Hsieh and Barbora Strycova in the final (not before 2 p.m.).