Tennis
Howard Bryant, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Semis looking good for Indian Wells

Tennis

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Four days remaining before a champion is crowned in the desert. Four days, but five things we learned soldiers on.

1. We have a semifinal

Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will play here in the semifinals in a rematch of the Australian Open final won by Djokovic. Murray downed Feliciano Lopez in a rather routine 6-3, 6-4 breeze, while Djokovic didn't play at all. Djokovic beat American John Isner in straights late Wednesday night only to see his opponent for the quarterfinals, Bernard Tomic, pull out with a back injury. Murray-Djokovic is great theatre, with Murray having won his two majors, the 2012 US Open and the 2013 Wimbledon Championships, against Djokovic. Djokovic has won two of his past three majors against Murray.

2. Jelena Jankovic is into the semifinals

Free-spirited Serb Jelena Jankovic rolled into the semis with a 6-1, 4-1 (ret) win over Ukrainian Lesya Tsurenko, who pulled the upset over Eugenie Bouchard two nights ago. Jankovic, seeded 18th, slipped last year after battling her way back into the top 10. She didn't win a title in 2014 but won Indian Wells five years ago. Jankovic, who survived Madison Keys earlier in the tournament after being down a set and break and 3-1 in the third, now has a real chance to win the tournament.

3. Mr. Murray goes to Washington

The 500-level tournament at Rock Creek Park has had Isner and Juan Martin del Potro but hasn't had a member of the so-called Big Four. That changed when Murray announced he will play Washington this year. The timing is difficult for the tournament, considering most players skip it to focus on the Masters 1000 tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati to gear up to the US Open. Murray, however, said he needs the matches.

4. Tomic hurting

When he upset David Ferrer in the third round, Tomic was wearing physio tape on his lower back. After he beat Thanasi Kokkinakis in the fourth round, he complained of intense wisdom tooth pain. While Murray was beating Lopez, Tomic withdrew from his match against Djokovic, ending what had been a terrific tournament for him. It wasn't the ending he would have liked, but Tomic again flashed the talent that everyone is waiting to see flourish.

5. Isner out of the top 20

By losing to Djokovic on Wednesday night, top-ranked American Isner fell out of the top 20, down to roughly 25. In Miami, he will have to reach or better last year's fourth-round showing to avoid falling any further. Isner will still be the highest-ranked American, ahead of Sam Querrey (43), Steve Johnson (44), Donald Young (47) and Jack Sock (58).

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