INDIAN WELLS, March 7, 2020
The Road to Indian Wells has confirmed its final wild card into the BNP Paribas Open. Mitchell Krueger is through to the semi-finals of the Oracle Challenger Series Indian Wells and has earned his spot in the main draw of next week’s ATP Masters 1000 event. The 26-year-old US-American played all four Oracle Challenger Series events this season, reaching the stage of the final four in Houston and Newport Beach, as well.
Friday’s singles quarterfinals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden saw US-Americans advance to set up scintillating semi-final Saturday. A resurgent Jack Sock battled past No. 11 seed Denis Kudla 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-4 to win his fourth match this week. The former World No. 8 won two points more than his compatriot to seal victory in two hours and 24 minutes.
Sock will next take on US-American teenager Brandon Nakashima, who beat Oracle Challenger Series wild card recipient Marcos Giron 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2. The 18-year-old from California converted three of his 18 break point chances to advance after two hours and 20 minutes.
Success in Stadium 5️⃣ for Nakashima
🇺🇲 Brandon Nakashima advances to semifinals Saturday following a 7-6(2), 3-6, 6-2 victory against 🇺🇲 Marcos Giron.
That winning moment @OracleChallngrs Indian Wells. pic.twitter.com/qKZveAVjtp
— OracleTennis (@OracleTennis) March 7, 2020
The other semi-final will see Krueger, who eliminated the last international competitor in Frenchman and No. 9 seed Gregoire Barrere, taking on USC Trojan and No. 5 seed Steve Johnson, who beat Noah Rubin 6-3, 6-3.
“I thought I served the best I have so far in the tournament, but I still have plenty of things to improve on which is a great opportunity for me tomorrow. I’ve got a chance to be the last man standing, which is all I can ask for at any tournament I play,” four-time ATP Tour titlist Johnson said, quoted by the Oracle Challenger Series website.
RESULTS – MARCH 06, 2020
Men’s Singles – Quarterfinals
[5] S. Johnson (USA) d N. Rubin (USA) 63 63
M. Krueger (USA) d [9] G. Barrere (FRA) 64 76(5)
[PR] J. Sock (USA) d [11] D. Kudla (USA) 76(5) 57 64
B. Nakashima (USA) d [14] M. Giron (USA) 76(2) 36 62
Men’s Doubles – Semifinals
[WC] S. Korda (USA) / M. Krueger (USA) d [PR] T. Huey (PHI) / S. Verbeek (NED) 62 63
[WC] D. Kudla (USA) / T. Kwiatkowski (USA) d R. Arneodo (MON) / S. Caruso (ITA) 63 76(4)
