Down the Line: Federer and Djokovic a cut above the rest

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  • Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have moved clear of the pack in 2015.

    We’re at the halfway mark of tennis’ version of March Madness and, once again, we’re left to marvel at the wonder that is the tournament at Indian Wells.

    Here are a few things we learned from the California sunshine…

    There’s a ‘Big Four’ division 

    Three months into the season and it already feels that the Novak Djokovic-Roger Federer rivalry will play a major role in 2015. Andy Murray’s form is improving, Rafael Nadal is working hard on regaining his touch, and someone like Milos Raonic is playing some great tennis, but Djokovic and Federer remain at the forefront.

    Facing off for a second time in a month, and an eighth since the start of last year, the world’s top two players are slowly separating themselves from the rest of the pack, with an evident gulf shaping between Djokovic and Federer, and Nadal and Murray.

    Halep showing signs of a true champion

    The Romanian was criticised for lacking fight in her routine defeat to Ekaterina Makarova in Australia but Simona Halep has shown nothing but real heart ever since.

    She won the Premier 5 title in Dubai before battling through four tough three-setters to lift the trophy (more like pose next to it, seriously how heavy is that Baccarat trophy?) in Indian Wells, her biggest title to date.

    Simona Halep is looking a real contender for major titles in 2015.

    It was an ugly win, strewn with errors but true champions are ones who find the victory, even with their worst game. She is deservedly at the top of the Road to Singapore standings right now, having won the second-most main draw matches on the WTA tour in 2015.

    Hawk-Eye needs a second look

    Thanasi Kokkinakis’ narrow win over Juan Monaco shed some light on a a rule problem with HawkEye. The young Aussie had beaten Monaco, who sent a ball wide on match point, but it was called in and Kokkinakis had no challenges remaining.

    He lost the second set but thankfully regrouped to win in three, even though technically he had already won it in two.

    Shouldn’t there be a rule that allows the chair umpire to call Hawk-Eye in an incident like that when he/she is not sure? At least allow it on match/set point.

    Serena continues to inspire

    Serena Williams was not obligated by any means to return to Indian Wells but she did it anyway.

    In her return to a place where she and her family have experienced injustice, Serena has given us all a lesson in forgiveness and grace.

    Her emotional opening round win, 14 years after that fateful final in 2001, will never be forgotten.

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