Moya Overcomes Qualifier Challenge; Ancic Returns

© Getty ImagesCarlos Moya made his Indian Wells debut in 1997.

If American qualifier Tim Smyczek was supposed to play the role of nervous newcomer on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open, he failed to receive the memo.

The 22 year old from Milwaukee, who was making his ATP World Tour Masters 1000 debut and playing in just his third tour-level event, held his own against former World No. 1 Carlos Moya before falling 7-6(7), 7-6(5) in two hours and 20 minutes.

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After dropping the opening game of the match, the 295th-ranked Smyczek levelled the match at 4-all and fought off six breaks points in the 11th game to deny Moya a chance to serve out the set. He fell just short of winning his first set on the ATP World Tour, as Moya saved two set points in the tie-break.

With Moya up a set and a break, the American reversed the momentum and earned two set points at 5-3. The more experienced Spaniard served his way out of trouble, and promptly broke Smyczek to return the set to serve. After failing to convert on his two match points at 6-5, Moya made good on his fourth opportunity – putting a backhand winner past Smyczek.

The 33-year-old Moya, who missed last year’s tournament due to injury, said in an on-court interview following the match: ”I was nervous when I was closing the match, but I’m hitting well. I’m happy to be here with you.”

He reached the pinnacle of his storied career in Indian Wells, becoming the first Spaniard to rank No. 1 in the history of the South African Airways ATP Rankings after reaching the BNP Paribas Open final in 1999 (l. to Philippoussis).

Moya, a winner of 20 ATP World Tour titles, had won just one match this season coming into Indian Wells. Last year, he was limited to just four tournaments after being hampered by a hamstring injury and undergoing surgery on his big toe.    

Another former Top 10 player, Croatian Mario Ancic, won his first ATP World Tour match in more than year as he rallied from down a set and break to claim a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over American qualifier Bobby Reynolds.

Returning to Indian Wells held extra significance for the 25 year old, who had retired against countryman Ivan Ljubicic after six games in his 2009 opener. “This week is so special for me because last year this was the last match, and then I haven’t played for almost a year,” said Ancic.

The Croat had reached a career-high No. 7 in 2006, but suffered a series of setbacks over the past couple years – largely caused by recurrences of mononucleosis. After receiving a clean bill of health in November, he tested out his match fitness at ATP Challengers and Futures events this season, and reached the final last week at a Futures tournament in Texas.

“The more matches I play, the better I will feel on the court definitely,” said Ancic.