Within the extensive know-all website Wikipedia, “the free encyclopedia,” the entry entitled “UCLA Bruins” chronicles the school’s athletic history. Names like John Wooden, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jackie Robinson, and Troy Aikman are highlighted among dozens of others. In the section dedicated to UCLA tennis, the first modern day player named is Marcos Giron, who in 2014 earned the NCAA singles title for the 11th time in school history, a feat achieved by players like Arthur Ashe, Jimmy Connors, and the team’s current head coach, Billy Martin.
This week at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, he’s been writing his own Wikipedia biography, and it’s a good one. Despite a sluggish start, Giron hit a glorious stride at the Tennis Garden today, culminating in an improbable 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory in the second round of the prestigious tournament. Facing talented youngster Alex de Minaur (himself an Aussie disciple of Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt), Giron completely turned the tide in the second set, gathering break and after break to gain command and win in dominating fashion over the #23 seed. Giddy with delight, he’s on to the third round to face the winner of Sam Querrey/Milos Raonic – more on that later.
Staying put off Sunset Boulevard in Westwood, there’s one more important name in the UCLA history books. Mackenzie McDonald won the 12th and most recent NCAA singles title in school history, and his BNP experience may be flying under the radar, but so far he’s on par with his Bruin pal Giron. McDonald won his first round match on Friday, and next faces Daniil Medvedev in the second round on Sunday (after 12pm, Stadium 4). McDonald, a product of Northern California, gets #TeamSoCal love nonetheless and always proves to be a fan favorite at The BNP.
Back to Querrey (Santa Monica), whose afternoon match-up with #13 Raonic was held inside a packed Stadium 3. Querrey and Raonic battled evenly throughout the first set, each player reluctant to allow a service break and firing aces at an impressive rate. Ultimately, the set reached a tiebreak, when Raonic pressed the accelerator and tallied 7 of 8 points played. In fact, the only break of the match came when Raonic stole a service game from Querrey in the second set, and that would be the difference in the match. With the 7-6, 6-4 win, Raonic is next in line for Marcos Giron, a hugely anticipated match for #TeamSoCal and Bruin faithful nationwide.
In other action on Saturday, Venus Williams dropped the first set against #3 Petra Kvitova on Stadium 1, but that’s when the fun started. Williams, an underdog in the match, found new life in the second set and held on to lock it up at 7-5, forcing a third set. Looking near defeat and down a double break, Williams relied on experience and poise to rebound and stun Kvitova in front of a boisterous Indian Wells crowd. Ten aces for Kvitova were tempered by ten double faults, leaving the door open for Williams to triumph in the end. She faces fellow American Christina McHale in the Round of 64.
Bob & Mike Bryan (Camarillo), far and away the most successful doubles team of all time, are back in business in 2019 and on their way to locking up yet another team title. On Saturday the #4 seeds dispatched Karen Khachanov & Daniil Medvedev of Russia, 6-3, 6-2. Known for dominating with the first serve, the Bryans combined at an 85% clip to keep the pressure on their young opponents. More on the Bryans later in the tournament as we follow their run towards another title at Indian Wells.
Asia Muhammad & Kaitlyn Christian moved on in the Women’s doubles bracket after their opponents withdrew due to injury. Their quarterfinal opponent is undecided as yet, and the first seed they could face in a decimated draw would be the #5 seed in the semis. Keep an eye on this story as it develops, as the #TeamSoCal women have a legitimate chance moving forward.
On Sunday, #TeamSoCal returns with Steve Johnson (Redondo Beach) opposite Denis Shapovalov, and McDonald in both singles and doubles play (with Reilly Opelka). Taylor Fritz (Rancho Palos Verdes) returns in doubles with Nick Kyrgios as well, and Jared Donaldson (Irvine) has the daunting task of fighting off Rafael Nadal in the evening session. Serena Williams matches with Garbine Muguruza in the third match of the day on center court after Simona Halep and Roger Federer.