i-Dub Highlights

Even though one of my favorite players, Robby Ginepri, wasn't at the tournament this year, I ended up seeing dozens and dozens of tennis pros and so much amazing tennis!

Let me share the highlights in short-hand broken down by day:

FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2009

- Andy Murray playing dubz with fellow Brit, Ross Hutchins
- Jeremy Chardy's first round match versus Victor Hanescu (please see My Weekend with Jeremy Chardy post)

- The Ladies; Shahar Peer's fighting spirit and Dinara Safina's power were inspiring

- Met up with my pals, the McCreary's!

- James Blake practicing with Leyton Hewitt

- Dubz Eye-candy: Fernando Gonzalez teaming up with Tommy Robredo; Ay Mami!

- And, of course, I drank an infamous and delicious Indian Wells Bloody Mary


SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

- Tommy Robredo (sporting a really cute buzz cut)

- Fernando Verdasco; his hairstyle wins the LHK's prize for the foxiest! I cannot resist a faux-hawk!
- Paul-Henri Mathieu vs. Potito Starace. This match lasted for three exciting sets, and I was pleasantly surprised by Potito's sexy machismo, very Italian!
- In honor of my sister-in-law's heritage, I got a front row seat to an all-Croatian match: Ivan Ljubicic vs. Mario Ancic. Talk about tall drinks of water! The powerful aces being served on tiny Court #4 were dangerous to be near. But, this match only lasted six games because Mario Ancic was under the weather and had to retire at 3-3.

- Met fellow Chelsea FC super-fan and tennis aficionado, Ron (from Orange County)

- Ran into my pal, Christian, from grad school

- Got a pic with JC! (again, please see My Weekend with Jeremy Chardy post)


SUNDAY, MARCH 15, 2009

- Got to the grounds early (10am) to score a good seat for the Jeremy Chardy versus Mardy Fish match (again, please see My Weekend with Jeremy Chardy post)

- More Dubz Eye-candy: Feliciano Lopez teamed up with Fernando Verdasco; Ay Dios Mio!

- Marat Safin practicing shirtless! (please see The Legendary Marat post)

- Met up with my blog pal, Erwin (from TENNIS SERVED FRESH), and we inadvertently (no joke) ended up in VIP seats during the John Isner vs. Gael Monfils match

- Rafael Nadal hitting unbelievable shots versus Michael Berrer in the main stadium

- Marat's second round match versus Nicolas Massu (from Chile); (again, please see The Legendary Marat post)

- Made it home, safe and sound at about 11.15pm