Dutch tennis players Botic van de Zandschulp and Tallon Fransespoor may skip the first round of the Masters tournament in Indian Wells. They are among the 32 players ranked based on their positions in the world rankings. They all have a bye in the first round and a start in the second round.
Van de Zandsholb (27) is the first Dutchman in the world rankings at 33rd, but the Greek track has been closing in on him in recent weeks. The 26-year-old North Hollander is just three places away from Van de Zandschulp.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal miss out on the top 10 in the world at Indian Wells. The Serbian No. 1 is not allowed to participate because he refuses to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, which is still mandatory to enter the United States. Nadal, down to ninth, retired due to injury.
In the second round, Van de Zandeshul will face the winner of the match between Elga Ivaska of Belarus and Romania’s Savuilin of Russia. Finendaller defeated Ivaska in Doha last month. The Greek track faces the winner in the duel between Brazilian Thiago Montero and Guido Pella from Argentina.
Among men, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, ranked No. 2 in the world, ranks first in the absence of Djokovic. Women are also playing tennis in Indian Wells through March 19. Iga Swiatek tops the placement list. Last year, the 21-year-old Pole won the first tournament in California.
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