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Rohit, Gill, Iyer and Shami spill chances in Champions Trophy final
6.3 - Mohammed Shami to Ravindra, 1 run, Shami fingertips a catch, it's a drop and he calls the physio. He was in his follow-through, looked like he was getting upright but then realised the ball was going highish to his left. The hands might have come in the way of the eyes, he tried to take it with fingers pointing up. Left leg was dangling in the air as he tried to take it on the move. Ball burst past and landed behind him. Was a fullish length ball angling in towards middle and leg, Ravindra tried to punch it to the bowler's right but the bat twirled upon impact
Ravindra was on 28 at the time and got another life in the next over, on 29:
7.1 - Varun to Ravindra, 2 runs, Another chance down, toughie again. Shreyas was running to the right from deep midwicket, he was sliding for a lowie, was fully outstretched and he made contact. He started quickly, ran 21 metres, slower down towards the end, ball didn't pop off the hands so much as poured below. He nearly fell face first and stayed there in disappointment as a team-mate cleaned up.
The two chances didn't cost India much as Ravindra was bowled by Kuldeep Yadav's first delivery at the start of the 11th over, and he was gone for 37.
34.5 - Patel to Mitchell, 2 runs, Rohit drops a one-hander at midwicket. He leapt up, got his right hand up but tipped it over. He falls on his back as the ball rolls into the deep. He was 27 metres away, timed his jump okay but was done for pace. Likely to be marked as a tough chance. 93ks ball wasn't that short, Mitchell went for a powerful pull nonetheless, went flat
35.6 - Jadeja to Phillips, 1 run, Gill drops one this time, running to the left from deep square leg. He slid, a bit of the turf came off as the knee went into the ground. He reached out low to the left, got both hands on it but it popped to the left, into the ground. Replays show he tried to claw the ball with ball palms coming towards the centre from the side, but the grabbage doesn't work. Jadeja raises his hands but manages half a smile. Was a shortish ball on middle, 102ks, didn't rise as much as Phillips expected. He, like Mitchell, went through with the pull. Got it off the base of the bat
Phillips' chance didn't cost India much either. He was on 27 when Gill put him down and Phillips was gone overs later for 34, foxed by Varun Chaktravarthy's googly. Mitchell, however, went on to make a half-century and was eventually dismissed for 63 in the 46th over by Shami.
NHL playoff watch: Is Jets-Hurricanes a Stanley Cup Final preview?
There are some who saw what the Carolina Hurricanes did at the trade deadline -- or perhaps failed to do after they traded Mikko Rantanen -- and believe they're cooked when it comes to the Stanley Cup playoffs. However, based on the projections from Stathletes, the Canes remain the team with the highest chances of winning the Cup, at 16.7%.
Standing before them on Sunday are the Winnipeg Jets (5 p.m. ET, ESPN+). The Jets had a relatively quiet deadline, adding Luke Schenn and Brandon Tanev, though sometimes these additions are the types of small tweaks that can push a contender over the edge. As it stands, the Jets enter their showdown against the Canes with the sixth-highest Cup chances, at 8.7%.
Carolina has made two trips to the Cup Final: a loss to the Detroit Red Wings in 2002 and a win over the Edmonton Oilers in 2006. The Canes have reached the conference finals three times since (2009, 2019, 2023). Winnipeg has yet to make the Cup Final, and was defeated 4-1 in the 2018 Western Conference finals by the Vegas Golden Knights in the club's lone trip to the penultimate stage.
Both clubs are due. Will this be their year?
There is a lot of runway left until the final day of the season on April 17, and we'll help you keep track of it all here on the NHL playoff watch. As we traverse the final stretch, we'll provide detail on all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2025 NHL draft lottery.
Note: Playoff chances are via Stathletes.
Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Saturday's schedule
Friday's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick
Current playoff matchups
Eastern Conference
A1 Florida Panthers vs. WC1 Columbus Blue Jackets
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Washington Capitals vs. WC2 Ottawa Senators
M2 Carolina Hurricanes vs. M3 New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
C1 Winnipeg Jets vs. WC2 Vancouver Canucks
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Colorado Avalanche
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC1 Minnesota Wild
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings
Sunday's games
Note: All times ET. All games not on TNT or NHL Network are available to stream on ESPN+ (local blackout restrictions apply).
New Jersey Devils at Philadelphia Flyers, 1 p.m. (TNT)
Seattle Kraken at Washington Capitals, 3:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh Penguins at Minnesota Wild, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
Winnipeg Jets at Carolina Hurricanes, 5 p.m.
Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers, 6 p.m.
Los Angeles Kings at Vegas Golden Knights, 8 p.m.
Dallas Stars at Vancouver Canucks, 9 p.m.
New York Islanders at Anaheim Ducks, 9 p.m.
Saturday's scoreboard
Ottawa Senators 4, New York Rangers 3 (OT)
Seattle Kraken 4, Philadelphia Flyers 1
Boston Bruins 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 0
Florida Panthers 4, Buffalo Sabres 0
Colorado Avalanche 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 4
Calgary Flames 1, Montreal Canadiens 0
Nashville Predators 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2 (OT)
Los Angeles Kings 2, St. Louis Blues 1 (OT)
Edmonton Oilers 5, Dallas Stars 4
New York Islanders 4, San Jose Sharks 2
Expanded standings
Atlantic Division
Florida Panthers
Points: 83
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 106.3
Next game: @ BOS (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Toronto Maple Leafs
Points: 79
Regulation wins: 31
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 102.8
Next game: @ UTA (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Tampa Bay Lightning
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ CAR (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Ottawa Senators
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DET (Monday)
Playoff chances: 85.4%
Tragic number: N/A
Detroit Red Wings
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ OTT (Monday)
Playoff chances: 8.3%
Tragic number: 37
Montreal Canadiens
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: @ VAN (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 19.8%
Tragic number: 37
Boston Bruins
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 83.3
Next game: vs. FLA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 2.5%
Tragic number: 33
Buffalo Sabres
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 71.4
Next game: vs. EDM (Monday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 27
Metro Division
Washington Capitals
Points: 90
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 117.1
Next game: vs. SEA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Carolina Hurricanes
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: vs. WPG (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
New Jersey Devils
Points: 72
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 92.3
Next game: @ PHI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 86.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Columbus Blue Jackets
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 20
Points pace: 89.9
Next game: @ NYR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 27.1%
Tragic number: N/A
New York Rangers
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 88.5
Next game: vs. CBJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 31.1%
Tragic number: 39
New York Islanders
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 86.0
Next game: @ LA (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 29.7%
Tragic number: 38
Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 79.4
Next game: vs. NJ (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 9.5%
Tragic number: 31
Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 73.1
Next game: @ MIN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 25
Central Division
Winnipeg Jets
Points: 92
Regulation wins: 36
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 18
Points pace: 117.9
Next game: @ CAR (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Dallas Stars
Points: 84
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 109.3
Next game: @ VAN (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Colorado Avalanche
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 18
Points pace: 99.9
Next game: vs. CHI (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.6%
Tragic number: N/A
Minnesota Wild
Points: 76
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 19
Points pace: 98.9
Next game: vs. PIT (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 94.4%
Tragic number: N/A
St. Louis Blues
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 87.1
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 37.2%
Tragic number: 34
Utah Hockey Club
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 85.9
Next game: vs. TOR (Monday)
Playoff chances: 26.4%
Tragic number: 35
Nashville Predators
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 19
Points pace: 71.6
Next game: @ SJ (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 24
Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 62.8
Next game: @ COL (Monday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 16
Pacific Division
Vegas Golden Knights
Points: 82
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 20
Points pace: 108.5
Next game: vs. LA (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 99.9%
Tragic number: N/A
Edmonton Oilers
Points: 78
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 101.5
Next game: @ BUF (Monday)
Playoff chances: 99.7%
Tragic number: N/A
Los Angeles Kings
Points: 73
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 21
Points pace: 98.1
Next game: @ VGK (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 84.1%
Tragic number: N/A
Calgary Flames
Points: 70
Regulation wins: 24
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 19
Points pace: 91.1
Next game: vs. VAN (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 27.5%
Tragic number: N/A
Vancouver Canucks
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 91.3
Next game: vs. DAL (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 30.9%
Tragic number: 40
Anaheim Ducks
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 20
Points pace: 80.7
Next game: vs. NYI (Sunday)
Playoff chances: 0.1%
Tragic number: 32
Seattle Kraken
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 18
Points pace: 74.3
Next game: @ WSH (Sunday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 25
San Jose Sharks
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 17
Points pace: 54.3
Next game: vs. NSH (Tuesday)
Playoff chances: ~0%
Tragic number: 8
Race for the No. 1 pick
The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Matthew Schaefer, a defenseman for the OHL's Erie Otters.
1. San Jose Sharks
Points: 43
Regulation wins: 12
2. Chicago Blackhawks
Points: 49
Regulation wins: 17
3. Buffalo Sabres
Points: 54
Regulation wins: 20
4. Nashville Predators
Points: 55
Regulation wins: 20
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 16
6. Seattle Kraken
Points: 58
Regulation wins: 22
7. Anaheim Ducks
Points: 61
Regulation wins: 19
8. Philadelphia Flyers
Points: 62
Regulation wins: 17
9. New York Islanders
Points: 65
Regulation wins: 23
10. Utah Hockey Club
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
11. Montreal Canadiens
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 21
12. Boston Bruins
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
13. Detroit Red Wings
Points: 66
Regulation wins: 22
14. New York Rangers
Points: 68
Regulation wins: 29
15. St. Louis Blues
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 22
16. Vancouver Canucks
Points: 69
Regulation wins: 23
Shoulder injury keeps Matt Henry out of Champions Trophy final
Henry bowled and fielded in the New Zealand training sessions on match eve, raising his team's hopes. While Santner didn't say anything at the toss, which he won and opted to bat first, it would appear that the team didn't want to risk Henry for the crunch contest.
Henry, the highest wicket-taker in the Champions Trophy leading up to the final with ten strikes, had hurt his shoulder while taking the catch to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen. He left the field but returned to bowl two overs late in the match. He was also seen diving in the field after he came back.
Mitchell Santner, the New Zealand captain, had been optimistic about Henry's availability soon after the match against South Africa, and Stead had also sounded a positive note, saying, "I guess the positive thing from our perspective is he got back out there to bowl."
'We want to play there' - Adelaide Oval could host Sheffield Shield final between AFL games
Whispers that the final could be held at Adelaide Oval began to circulate after the win over Western Australia in Perth last month but nothing could happen officially until South Australia confirmed they would host the final.
The final is currently scheduled to run from March 26 to March 30. One major issue is that Adelaide Oval's drop-in pitches have already been removed from the venue ahead of AFL club Adelaide Crows first home game on March 16. South Australia's other AFL club, Port Adelaide, play their first home game at the venue on Saturday March 22.
If the Shield final were to be staged at Adelaide Oval, it would need to be moved forward two days to be played between Monday March 24 and Friday March 28, sandwiched between weekend football fixtures with Crows playing at home again on March 30.
It is understood that a single drop-in surface could be put in place after the AFL game on March 22 is completed. The pitch would have already been prepared elsewhere and would be ready for play on March 24 with the outfield cut to an acceptable level.
"We're in now. I think that was part of the step," Harris told ESPNcricinfo after the win over Victoria on Sunday. "I've left that up to the people above me, but it's gaining momentum, I believe.
"I think there are a few small bridges to cross coming into this week. But I think now that the fact that it's been confirmed that we're in Adelaide I guess we'll hear over the next couple of days, what goes on there.
"But I mean we want to play there. We love it there. It might be a little bit different. The outfield might be a little bit slower, but when we play early games in September, October, it's generally quite slow anyway, so I don't think it's going to be a lot different.
"But ultimately if we can get out there, it'd be great. But obviously, we understand as well the agreement football have. But as far as I know, the conversations have been really positive so we'll wait and see over the next couple of days."
A Shield final has not been played at any of those venues since 2012 when Queensland hosted the final at the Gabba. Since then Victoria has hosted finals at Alice Springs and Hobart while New South Wales hosted a final in Canberra before Junction Oval and Cricket Central became viable grounds. Queensland host two finals at Allan Border Field in recent years.
South Australia premier Peter Malinauskas has even got involved and has already spoken to the local AFL clubs about the issue.
"This issue has been drawn to my attention, I did spend a bit of time on the weekend making a few calls," Malinauskas told ABC radio last week. "I'm pretty optimistic that with some hard-headed reason, there's a compromise to be had here that would allow it to be played at Adelaide Oval.
"But everyone is going to have to give a little bit. There's a whole bunch of moving parts to this, but after the calls I've made, I'm pretty optimistic we're going to get the right outcome if wiser heads prevail. I think the Crows have an appetite for pragmatism here, and that is to their great credit. The AFL's got a role to play."
South Australia's final Shield game of the home and away season starts on Saturday March 15 but it was already scheduled to be played at Karen Rolton Oval.
The AFL are receptive to allowing the final to be played in between weekend football games with AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon saying that the league was open to co-operating.
"Like we do with other sports where we have a scheduling clash, we're fortunate to play in the best stadiums in Australia across all of our capital cities and we know those stadiums get built and operate because they are multi-sport," Dillon said at a press conference on last week. "So if it can be accommodated within our schedule, we absolutely would look at that."
Playing the final at Adelaide Oval would shorten the turnaround from the last regular-season round from seven days to five for whichever travelling team qualifies. Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and Victoria all still a chance depending on the results of the final round.
"If that arises, that'd be awesome, because I think the last time we played in the Shield final at home was at Glenelg," Lehmann said. "We actually got a pretty good crowd there, and it was good. But also, I love Adelaide Oval. I think it's the best stadium in the world. You know, it just produces good wicket good cricket wicket, great stadium. so I'd love to be able to do that."
Meanwhile, Harris confirmed that Carey will be available for both South Australia's final Shield game of the season against Queensland and the final.
"As far as I know, he's back next week, and for the final now," Harris said. "That's huge. Getting a player who's playing pretty well at the moment. I watched his innings the other night in the Champions Trophy, I don't think I've seen him bat as good as that."
"All fine with that," Harris said. "That's what they want to do. I think they're probably having a bit of FOMO now and would want to be here. But that's alright."
Alex Malcolm is an associate editor at ESPNcricinfo
Konstas hits fifty in draw as NSW and WA lose ground in push for final
Western Australia 196 (Bird 3-22) and 346 for 4 dec (Cartwright 171*, Bancroft 86, Fanning 59) drew with New South Wales 261(Patterson 86, Morris 5-26) and 130 for 4 (Gilkes 53*, Konstas 50)
It means both teams will have to rely on results going their way in the last round to make the final after Queensland leapfrogged them into second-placed with their earlier victory against Tasmania.
NSW needed 282 runs off 57 overs for the victory needed to move into second spot, but they did not attempt to chase down the total on a surface that proved particularly difficult for batters against the new ball.
Konstas was unperturbed and intent on defence, taking until his eighth delivery to register his first run. In a big moment, Kurtis Patterson had a let off on 1 after he was dropped by Paris at gully in a tough chance.
Paris and Cameron Gannon produced considerable seam movement, but Konstas was rock solid and only had one scoring shot from his first 23 balls. Lance Morris entered the attack in the 11th over and there was an unknown over how many overs he would bowl. Under a restriction of around 30 overs per game to manage his body, Morris took career best first-class figures of 5 for 26 off 20.3 overs in NSW's first innings.
Morris ended up bowling 12 overs, but he was unable to rediscover his accuracy and control as Konstas played him with relative ease.
Batting became easier as Konstas and Patterson, NSW's first innings top-scorer with 86 off 262 balls, made it through to tea and they knocked the ball around after the resumption.
He had Konstas on 38 poking to short-leg, but it was given not out. Konstas reached his half-century and the match again appeared to be fizzling away until he missed a straight Rocchiccioli delivery and was stumped before Josh Philippe was caught at short-leg on his first ball.
But Rocchiccioli could not get his hat-trick or produce the necessary heroics as the match petered out to a draw.
Bancroft's 276-ball stonewall ended on 86 after he edged Jack Edwards to first slip. Playing his 100th Shield match, Bancroft trudged off disappointed but satisfied in his return to the field after a horrific on-field collision during a BBL game in early January.
But with the ball losing its shine, Fanning eventually got into his groove and runs flowed after lunch. The batters had fun for 30 minutes after the interval with Fanning launching offspinner Chris Green down the ground on several occasions.
Cartwright overtook his previous highest score of 170 before he soon walked off the field to a rousing ovation.
Draper checks Fonseca progress in Indian Wells win
Draper has only played two tournaments this year - winning three five-setters in a row to reach the Australian Open last 16 before finishing runner-up in Doha - as he has continued to manage a hip injury sustained in the off season.
The performance against Fonseca, whose matches are attracting large numbers of vocal Brazilian fans, was another example of his increasing maturity.
Initially below his best, Draper showed resilience and composure to subdue one of the fastest risers on the ATP Tour.
"I feel I did a really good job and I'm proud of the way I competed, the way I moved and what I did tactically," he said.
The buzz surrounding Fonseca, who became the fourth youngest man to win an ATP Tour title since 2000, led to hundreds arriving early to ensure they bagged a spot on the smaller fourth court at Indian Wells.
Fonseca's biggest weapon is a ferocious forehand and, while he regularly demonstrated his easy power from the baseline, there were also signs of his inexperience.
In moments where the world number 80 perhaps needed a little more subtlety, he continued to hit extremely aggressively and paid the price as Draper broke again in the ninth game.
The Briton continued to counter-punch well and took the opener on his second set point when Fonseca overeagerly pushed another forehand wide.
Saving four of five break points proved key for Draper, while Fonseca's 23 unforced errors outweighing nine winners was another key statistic.
Boosted by the lead, a more confident Draper vastly improved his first-serve percentage, dominated the rallies and moved sharply around the court.
The only blip in the second set was three successive double faults as he served for the match, but he recovered to clinch an impressive victory.
Draper knows a strong run in the Californian desert could push him into the world's top 10 for the first time in his career.
"I have still got a long way to go and build my tennis, fitness and mentality day in, day out," he added.
"I'm getting closer but I'm not a top-10 player until I get there."
British lucky loser Sonay Kartal continued to make the most of her reprieve by earning the biggest win of her career to reach the Indian Wells third round.
Kartal, 23, produced a stunning performance to thrash Brazilian 16th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2 6-1.
It is the British number three's first win against an opponent in the top 20, with Haddad Maia ranked 17th.
World number 83 Kartal has also reached the last 32 of a WTA 1,000 event - the tier below the Grand Slam tournaments - for the first time.
"Being a lucky loser takes the pressure off and you could say it's a good position to be in," Kartal told BBC Sport.
"It's nice to have this second chance and almost like a free run at it."
Kartal lost in the second qualifying round on her debut in the Californian desert, but was handed a spot in the main draw when former US Open champion Sloane Stephens withdrew through injury.
It is the first time the Englishwoman has been picked out as a lucky loser.
Kartal was placed in a draw among the four highest-ranked players to lose in qualifying following Stephens' withdrawal.
Djokovic was bidding to create more history with a standalone record sixth men's title in Indian Wells.
But, having been given a first-round bye, he fell in his opening match after producing a string of ugly mistakes.
In a performance well below his high standards, Djokovic made 37 unforced errors and only hit 16 winners to mitigate the damage.
"Congratulations to my opponent. It was just a bad day in the office, I guess," said Djokovic, who has not gone beyond the third round in his past four Indian Wells appearances.
It was the former world number one's second successive exit at the hands of a lucky loser, having lost to Italy's Luca Naldi last year.
Djokovic's return of serve - one of the hallmarks of his unparalleled success - was particularly poor against Van de Zandschulp, who swamped the Serb's second serve to convert five of eight break point opportunities.
He recovered from a poor start and looked as if he had settled down by quickly levelling the match.
But more mistakes, which he described as "awful", allowed Van de Zandschulp to take control of the decider.
Even the return of Britain's Andy Murray to his coaching team could not prevent a below-par performance.
The pair, who are planning to head together to the Miami Open which follows Indian Wells, will be hoping Djokovic's problems are not deep-rooted.
Time is clearly catching up with Djokovic, who turns 38 in May, but his performances in Melbourne showed he can still beat most opponents if he is fully fit and motivated.
Dominant France win ends Ireland's Grand Slam hopes
Watch highlights as France beat Ireland 42-27 to end Irish Grand Slam hopes and go top of the Six Nations table.
MATCH REPORT: Rampant France beat Ireland to take control of Six Nations title race
Watch highlights on Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC iPlayer.
Available to UK users only.
This team has a well-developed and debilitating trend of falling asleep in games. They didn't score in the last 33 minutes on Saturday.
A fortnight ago they went an hour without scoring against England, against Ireland they didn't score for 41 minutes and then 26 minutes. Against Italy, they went 33 minutes without a point.
This is repeat behaviour from Scotland. Last season threw up similar numbers and so did the season before.
It didn't cost them this time, but it remains a puzzler as to why this keeps happening. Are they always going to have the propensity for napping during games?
It's why we can admire many of the things this team does, but it's very hard to trust them. We can marvel at their creativity, but elan alone is not cutting it at the sharp end of the championship.
And so to Paris against the mighty French. Scotland at their very, very best are unpredictable enough, and mad enough, to make it a scary day for Fabien Galthie.
Scotland are not a conventional team. They have players that could hurt France. They have a mindset that could cut them open and give them much to think about.
They don't have a hang-up about the French the way they do against the Irish. Psychology won't be a problem.
France will surely win - and maybe very comfortably - because on top of the flair in the backline they have monsters up front. Many, many monsters.
They have eight starters and possibly another seven on the bench. To hell, Fabien, go 8-0 and be done with it. Bring out every brute, from Perpignan to Picardy.
France won a seismic victory in Dublin and will feel invincible now. Scotland won a shaky one in Edinburgh and Lord only knows how they'll be feeling.
They won, though. That's kinda the point. But does it always have to be so dramatic?
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