Analysis for Tursunov-Russell (ATP Indian Wells)

Head-to-head record 1:2

American Michael Russell will play Russian-American Dmitryi Tursunov in the second round. Home qualifier Michael Russell is best known for holding match point in the 4th round of the 2001 French Open against eventual champion Gustavo Kuerten. In the 2007 Australian Open, he held a two sets to love lead over former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt before succumbing in five sets. In the 2007 Indian Wells Masters event, he made it to the final 16 players in a 96-player field, after upsetting Tomas Berdych in round 2. He reached his career highest ranking of 60 in August 2007 after reaching 2nd round of Montreal TMS. Last season was kind of nightmare for Michael falling out from the top 300 but he now seems to be coming back. Recently, he won the Future tournament on US soil and performed well in qualifiers here demolishing both Bohli and Todero. Russell is a defensive counter-puncher, known for his footspeed and consistency. John McEnroe described him as a particularly dogged competitor, saying that "no one's going to try harder on a tennis court than Michael Russell. He is a player who is hard to beat when he gets ona run and we think his self-confidence must be high after dominy through the qualifiers and the first round without dropping a set. He likes the conditions here having made several good results in past. Russell is a good and fast baseline player and could Tursunov into errors with his back court game. Tursunov is not having the best season so far and anything around 3 against him is worth trying.