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Indian Wells 2015 Preview & Predictions: March 15

By Nate Slaymaker

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Indian Wells 2015 Preview and Predictions: March 15

Super Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells did not disappoint. Kei Nishikori took out home grown Ryan Harrison. Murray had little trouble with Canadian hopeful Vasek Pospisil. Madison Keys continue her rise with an easy win. With so much more is still yet to come on this Super Saturday, we turn our attention to Sunday’s order of play and the matches that will highlight tomorrow’s schedule.

Nick Kyrgios (AUS) vs. No.11 seed Grigor Dimitrov (BUL)

With so much more is still yet to come on this Super Saturday, we turn our attention to Sunday’s order of play

STADIUM 1, 2nd up

Kyrgios came through a tricky match up against Denis Kudla in straight sets, but he was not playing his best tennis. Almost all of Kyrgios’ ATP Tour wins have come on the big stages in the Grand Slams. Indian Wells is the biggest tournament outside of the Slams. Kyrgios flair for the dramatic is often hindered by his youth and inexperience. He never seems to have a clear strategy other than to entertain. He will be tested against Dimitrov.

Dimitrov has flown up the rankings in recent years, but had a very rough February. He lost to the big lefty Gilles Muller in Rotterdam and was ousted by Ryan Harrison in Acapulco, failing to reach the quarterfinals in either event. Dimitrov is only 3-3 at Indian Wells and probably does not prefer the slower hard courts.

The two players have never met. It is bound to be the match of the day as both players frequently come up with amazing shots. It will be tightly contested, but in the end the experience of Dimitrov will trump the flair of Kyrgios.

Prediction: Dimitrov

Mar 13, 2014; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Milos Raonic (CAN) during his quarter final match against Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Dolgopolov won 6-3, 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

No.6 seed Milos Raonic (CAN) vs. Simone Bolelli (ITA)

STADIUM 2, 2nd up

Raonic started the season strong, reaching the finals of Brisbane and the quarters in Melbourne. Bolelli beat him in his opening match in Marseille and Raonic took some time off before participating in Davis Cup last week. Raonic is still a one trick pony. He has the big serve and is content to take sets to tiebreaks.

Bolelli will have confidence in this match. These two players faced off twice in February, splitting the contests. Bolleli won the match in Marseille on much quicker hard courts than Indian Wells. The Italian is probably tired of seeing Raonic in his section of the draw. The slower courts won’t be enough to keep Raonic from exacting revenge.

Prediction: Raonic

No. 21 seed Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Steve Johnson (USA)

STADIUM 3, 4th up

At 36 years old, Karlovic is having what may be his best season ever. In February, he won Delray Beach and reached the quarters of Acapulco. Karlovic will not change his plan. He has the best serve in tennis and follows it up with decent net play.

Johnson is also putting together the best results of his career. He got to two quarterfinals in Febraury and lost to Kevin Anderson at Acapulco. Johnson had a surprsingly easy win over Marcel Granollers to get to this point in the tournament. While Karlovic beat Johnson in Delray Beach, the American holds the career head-to-head lead at 2-1, both wins coming on hard courts. The slower courts will frustrate Karlovic enough for Johnson to pull the upset.

Prediction: Johnson

No.22 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) vs. Sloane Stephens (USA)

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STADIUM 2, 4th up

What a matchup this early in the tournament! Kuznetsova is a veteran and former grand Slam winner. She has had a dismal start to the season with only a 2-5 record. She still cannot be counted out. Her big forehand and retrieving ability can frustrate any player.

Stephens has been up and down her entire career. She was on a three match losing streak coming into the tournament, but looked strong in her two wins over Chanelle Scheepers and Katerina Siniakova. Sloane has always had a big game, but is inconsistent. If she’s starts spraying balls all over the court, her opponent knows she only has to get balls in to win. Perhaps some of the pressure has been taken off with the emergence of other top women in the United States.

Prediction: Stephens

Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) vs. No.9 seed Tomas Berdych (CZE)

STADIUM 2, not before 5:00pm

Stakhovksy is on a great run reaching three quarterfinals in February. He also scored a huge win over a streaking Stan Wawrinka. He should come into this match with confidence. He beat Sam Querrey in a tough match on Friday and took a set off of Berdych a couple weeks ago in Dubai. The 29 year old knows what it will take to beat Berdych and will come in with a sound strategy.

Berdych easily has the toughest draw of any player in this tournament. He starts off against the dangerous Stakhovsky. Berdych is 4-0 all-time against the Ukrainian, but should not take another match up lightly. Berdych has taken a turn in his career and appears more focused than ever. The easy power on his serve and forehand is surpassed by none and he no longer lets his emotions take control. It should be an easy victory over a tough opponent.

Prediction: Berdych

Quick Picks

No.2 seed Roger Federer (SUI) over Diego Schwatzman (ARG)

Donald Young (USA) over No.31 seed Jeremy Chardy (FRA)

No.3 seed Rafael Nadal (ESP) over Igor Sijsling (NED)

No.3 seed Simona Halep (ROU) over No.26 seed Varvara Lepchenko (USA)

No.7 seed Stan Wawrinka (SUI) over Robin Haase (NED)

Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) over No.29 seed Santiago Giraldo (COL)

Next: Indian Wells Mens Top 8 Contenders

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