A Tale of Two Brothers At BNP Paribas Open Qualifier

A couple years ago, the Bastardi brothers were a doubles powerhouse for the Palm Desert High tennis team. 

Wednesday, Chris and Kyle were on individual paths in the pre-qualifying rounds at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. 

The brothers were just two of the 140 entrants, including a host of players from the Coachella Valley, hoping to play their way into the Open main draw, which begins next week. 

Kyle stormed past club player George Dovletoglou in a 6-1, 6-1 win.

He kept the club player off balance throughout the match, with Dovletoglu showing signs of tiredness midway through the opening set.  

Kyle knows it wont be this easy every day. 

“Competition here is pretty tough,” he said, “ but I was pretty strong and got through it. Now I just wait for the next round.” 

Kyle's brother, Chris, wasn’t so lucky, getting run over my teaching pro Christian Clausen 6-1, 6-1.

Clausen, who works at the Four Seasons Resort in Carlsbad, kept frustrating Bastardi with power serves and cross court shots. 

Chris admitted that he has played better, but was confident after taking the opening game.

“I thought I had it for sure. I don’t know,'' he said. "My game wasn’t working today. I just hit everything out. Just had a bad day.”

More local players will be in action Thursday including former Palm Desert standout Jack Felich, and Marcin Rozpedski.