Watched the end of the 1st set for Liam. Thought it could have gone either way but Liam seemed to be pretty much on top when returning the 2nd serve. Surprised he ran away with it in the 2nd.
I dont see it on the bbc sounds app schedule yet but five live just announced that theyll have live coverage of Sir Andys match followed by Emmas tonight on Five Live Sports Extra
Yeah, they seem to be having a nightly section with Russell Fuller on the tournament. For some reason they have done this for a number of years now on Five Live, focussing on IW as opposed to Miami or any other Masters. I always historically rated Miami as the 5th major in effect, but recognise IW is its equal these days, but the BBC seems to take the view that IW is in essence the 5th major, as it doesnt really do much for Miami. Not sure what others think but I rate the two as equals
I've always most associated Indian Wells with the "5th major" tag.
Though yes personally I look on IW and Miami equally.
When I was following tennis, Miami started in the 80s in Key Biscayne as the Liptons and then various incarnations of "Players Championship" and was self stylised as the fifth major (a bit likes golfs Players Champs, on this week).
IW started in Palm Springs as the American Games , Congoleum Championships and was a lower level / tier event than a Masters, good entry still, but lower. It gradually built up, Charlie Pasarell took over and it has grown to where it is now, whereas Miami went through a little dip, i think, as it changed locations a few times
Thanks Jon. My wider tennis following really started with Andy's emergence. So interesting to learn about pre AM.
I highlighted the references to fifth major and as below, wiki makes clear that sort of passing of the baton as fifth major that has happened in maybe the past 10-12 years or so.
From wiki, re Miami - when it started, the quarters onwards where 5 set matches in the mens, but that gradually declined as with all other events. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Open_(tennis)
In 1986, the tournament relocated to Boca West. After its successful second year there, Merrett Stierheim, Dade County manager and Women's Tennis Association (WTA) president, helped Buchholz in 1987 move the tournament to its long-term home in Key Biscayne for 1988.[5] In keeping with ambitions of its founder, the tournament has been maintained as one of the premier events in pro tennis after the Grand Slams and the ATP World Tour Finals sometimes referred to as the "Fifth Major" up until the mid-2000s.[6] In 1999, Buchholz sold the tournament to IMG.[7] In 2004, the Indian Wells Masters also expanded to a multi-week 96 player field, and since then, the two events have been colloquially termed the "Sunshine Double".[8][9]
Re Indian Wells https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Wells_Masters
Between 1974 and 1976 it was non-tour event and between 1977 and 1986 it was a secondary tournament of the Grand Prix Tennis Tour but in 1987 it was upgraded to be part of the Grand Prix Super Series, the series of nine tournaments just below the four majors and the year-end finals in importance. It took the place of the Philadelphia Indoor event as the first Super Series event of the year. The event is one of two tour events (along with the Miami Open), other than the Majors, in which main draw play extends beyond eight days. The women's main draw usually starts on Wednesday and the men's main draw starts on Thursday. Both finals are held on Sunday of the following week. Both singles main draws include 96 players in a 128-player grid, with the 32 seeded players getting a bye (a free pass) to the second round.