RICKY’S PICKS FOR WEDNESDAY’S MEN’S MATCHES @ INDIAN WELLS TENNIS 2016 / BNP PARIBAS OPEN

Written by: Staff on 16th March 2016

RICKY'S PICKS FOR WEDNESDAY'S MEN'S MATCHES @ INDIAN WELLS TENNIS 2016 / BNP PARIBAS OPEN |

Photo by Francisco Resendiz

By Ricky Dimon

One of the best days in tennis will take place at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, as the entire men’s fourth round is on the schedule. It includes Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who could be in store for tough tests. Djokovic is facing Feliciano Lopez, the only player to whom the world No. 1 has lost this season (albeit by retirement). Nadal is going up against an on-fire Alexander Zverev.

Ricky previews and the action and predicts the eight Indian Wells quarterfinalists.

(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (18) Feliciano Lopez: Lopez “beat” Djokovic in the Dubai quarterfinals, but the top seed retired after losing the first set due to an eye infection. This time around it could be Lopez who is struggling physically. The Spaniard is not hurt, but he is coming off a three-hour and 15-minute affair with countryman Roberto Bautista Agut without a day of rest in between. Djokovic has not been at his best of late, but it shouldn’t matter. Djokovic in 2.

(4) Rafael Nadal vs. Alexander Zverev: Watch out–an upset could be in the cards in this one. Aside from relative inexperience at 18 years old, Zverev has just about all the tools that tend to give Nadal trouble. The German wields a huge serve, big forehand, and a solid two-handed backhand that can counter heavy topspin. When necessary, he can also play long rallies thanks to impressive defense for a player of his size (6’6”). Nadal has played decently enough at this event with wins over Gilles Muller and Fernando Verdasco, but his confidence is nowhere near that of the youngster. Zverev in 2.

(11) Dominic Thiem vs. (7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: Tsonga admitted this week that he never plays his best tennis in Indian Wells. Speaking of best tennis, that is exactly what Thiem is playing right now. In fact, the 22-year-old Austrian leads the ATP Tour with 22 victories this season. His run includes titles in Buenos Aires and Acapulco, and it’s a run that probably won’t come to an end at the hands of anyone except maybe Djokovic or Isner in Indian Wells. Thiem in 2.

(8) Richard Gasquet vs. (10) Marin Cilic: Gasquet is pretty much on fire right now. He is making up for lost time with a title in Montpellier and now a fourth-round performance in Indian Wells after missing the Australian summer because of a back injury. Cilic, on the other hand, is most certainly not on fire. The Croat’s 2016 record stood at a mere 9-7 prior to victories this fortnight over Ryan Harrison and Leonardo Mayer. A much tougher test in the form of Gasquet may be too much for Cilic. Gasquet in 2.

(9) John Isner vs. (5) Kei Nishikori: This will be the third meeting between Nishikori and Isner, and third on a hard court in the United States. Such settings are great for Isner, and nowhere are the conditions better for him than they are in Indian Wells. This is a basically a mixture between hard and clay, with the balls flying through the air and jumping off the court with high bounces. Armed with confidence on the heels of Davis Cup heroics in Australia, Isner actually has to be considered the favorite in this one even though the rankings suggest otherwise. Isner in 2.

(15) David Goffin vs. (3) Stan Wawrinka: Goffin will be playing with nothing to lose, as he has done well just to reach the fourth round after recovering from set deficits against both Frances Tiafoe and Guido Pella. The Belgian even saved two match points in his opener against Tiafoe. Wawrinka, though, has to like his chances in Indian Wells. The fourth-ranked Swiss has already captured two titles this season (Chennai and Dubai) and the conditions in the desert suit his game almost to perfection. He has not dropped a set so far in defeats of Illya Marchenko and Andrey Kuznetsov. Wawrinka in 3.

(6) Tomas Berdych vs. (12) Milos Raonic: Whose adductor injury is worse? That may be the deciding factor in the outcome of this big-hitting showdown. In actuality, both guys appear to be over their physical problems. Berdych, who retired from a recent Davis Cup match, has taken out Juan Martin Del Potro and Borna Coric in straight sets. Raonic, who had not played since the Australian Open, has cruised past Inigo Cervantes and Bernard Tomic. The Canadian also participated in doubles with Isner, so clearly his health is not an issue. But this is Raonic’s first real test since Melbourne, so Berdych may have a slight edge. Berdych in 3.

(13) Gael Monfils vs. Federico Delbonis: Monfils could have faced Nick Kyrgios in the third round. Instead he went up against Albert Ramos-Vinolas. The Frenchman was in line to meet Andy Murray in the fourth round. Instead his Wednesday opponent is Federico Delbonis. And you thought Monfils’ Australian Open draw was favorable? This is an absolute gift. It’s a gift that even Monfils will not fail to take advantage of as he cruises into the quarterfinals. Monfils in 2.