Sara gave him with an album she'd taken at a previous practice session, the response being - "which one do you want signing?" Sara replied "None - they're yours - take them!" (nice look of surprise and gratitude). The poor Guy then had a selection of weird things to sign, Lemonade cups and things for example - so - I decided it was time for Sara to unveil her Tee-shirt (well all she really did was remove her backpack) - I explained why it had been purchased, it then got easily signed too (whilst still on Sara's back) (he demanded to know what questions were!)

Nico played 3 matches on Stadium court, all three of these were excellent entertainment, first he beat Nicholas Escude in 3 sets, losing the first set, but then catching fire in the second, taking over the match with his own brand of Nico-magic. (Again we managed to get down the front - well there were a few empty seats - just crying out for us to sit on them!!)

Then it was Friday - quarterfinals day - his opponent - Hicham Arazi - NOW this could have been the best day of the trip for both Sara and I but a certain Morrocan had to spoil our plans as he insisted on beating Andre the previous Monday. If Andre had been Nico's opponent then we would have had great fun, decked out in alternate flags and caps (Sara Ecuador, Me USA) (sitting together of course - as close as possible, shouting loudly - as we do)

BUT it wasn't to be :o(. Still it WILL happen! Instead Nico did the next best thing. He stuffed Arazi! 6-2 6-0. He had control from the first bounce of that match! He was formidable that day - Keep up the good work.

Nico reached the Semi-finals - his opponent was Alex Corretja - he is another one of our favourites. He's a really nice guy, very easy to talk to too. The Alex and Nico game was very entertaining. Alex came out the winner, but it was not through Nico losing (does that make sense?) there were incredible shots from both, it was a really enjoyable game - such a shame one of them had to lose.

A Group of People next to us asked us if we knew Nico - and asked if we could pass a message to him saying "We think he's great, we really thought he played great - and hope he does well in the future!".

That evening, somehow, I managed to lose Sara (!!!) and as I was wandering around I walked straight into Nico (wandering about on his own, capless, dressed darkly and in the dark) so I asked if he'd seen Sara (as you do - I've now lost my Dormouse label where Mariano and Nico are concerned) he said he hadn't, so I then took the opportunity to pass on the message from the "The People" to "The Player" - One very happy Ecudorian walked off towards the Coke Stand!!

That completed the Indian Wells element of our Trip - we spent the next 24 hours or so driving to LA (taking in, of course, Hollywood, Beverley Hills, Rodeo Drive on the way) as a plane was waiting there to take us off to Miami.