Indian Wells 2015 Preview & Predictions: March 14

Indian Wells 2015 Preview and Predictions: March 14

It has been an exciting two days to start off the main draw at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Americans took center stage in the first day with Ryan Harrison beating Mardy Fish in a thriller. On Thursday, the entire tennis garden was abuzz with the return of Serena Williams.

Saturday the tennis heats up as the top seeds will be playing their first matches. There are many intriguing matches in Saturday’s order of play. Below we preview the best of the bunch.

Saturday the tennis heats up as the top seeds will be playing their first matches.

Ryan Harrison (USA) vs. No.5 seed Kei Nishikori (JPN)

STADIUM 1, 2nd up

Harrison came up big in a roller coaster third set against Mardy Fish. It was Fish’s return to the court after a myriad of setbacks and life changes. Harrison’s nerves got to him through the final set, but he pulled through in the tiebreaker, as Fish’s endurance was not where it could have been. Harrsion uses a big serve and forehand to pressure his opponents and it has given him a good amount of success this season.

Harrison’s prize for the three set win: a date with No.5 seed Nishikori, who some have picked as a top contender in this tournament. Nishikori’s superb baseline game has put him in a class with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. In the same way those players dominate, the man from Japan pushes his opponents at will with strong penetrating shots form both sides. The Nishikori two handed backhand may be the best in the game.

These two players met for the first time earlier this year in Memphis. Harrison played a tough match and took Nishikori to three sets before losing. Though he has not had much success in the past at Indian Wells, Nishikori should make it through.

Prediction: Nishikori

No.10 seed Marin Cilic (CRO) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG)

Mar 12, 2014; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Marin Cilic (CRO) during his fourth round match against Novak Djokovic (SRB) at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

STADIUM 2, 2nd up

Marin Cilic makes his return to tennis on US soil where last year he was crowned a Grand Slam champion in New York. He yields a big serve and strong forehand. His game should play well to the quick courts in the California desert. The only question will be regarding his fitness in his first match of the season.

Monaco is a veteran who will test the US Open Champion. He will get back plenty of balls and force Cilic to win the match on his racket. Monaco is orchestrating a small comeback of his own. The former top ten player has the tools to stage a possible upset. It should be a close match that could go either way.

Prediction: Monaco

No.4 seed Andy Murray (GBR) vs. Vasek Pospisil (CAN)

STADIUM 1, 3rd up

Murray started the year in grand fashion, blasting his way to the Australian Open final. Since then, he has not played his best tennis, often becoming his own worst enemy. Murray faced Pospisil in Dubai a couple weeks ago and although he came through in straight sets, the match was close.

Pospisil is trying to make a name for himself other than “the other Canadian.” He has the type of game that can frustrate good players. He is strong from the baseline and has flashes of power. Unfortunately, Murray is just a better version of Pospisil. While the match may be tight and the Canadian No.2 may even take a set, Murray should be too hungry to bow out early here.

Prediction: Murray

No.32 seed Bernard Tomic (AUS) vs. Borna Coric (CRO)

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