Predicted Winners in BOLD

I am still in mild shock over Rafa being beaten, but tennis is a funny game at times.

Third Round

John Isner (12) vs. Yen-Hsun Lu – US tennis needs Isner to make something happen in 2014.  He has done well at Indian Wells in the past and has a workable draw to advance this year.

Dominic Thiem vs. Julien Benneteau – I picked Benneteau last round and will stick with him this round.

Novak Djokovic (2) vs. Alejandro Gonzalez – Novak has a chance to set doubters straight at Indian Wells.  His draw is favorable for reaching the final.

Feliciano Lopez vs. Mikhail Kukushkin – This is a 50-50 match, but I think Lopez’ backhand may be his undoing.

Jarkko Nieminen vs. Roberto Bautista-Agut – The late blooming Spaniard is having a nice year.

Richard Gasquet (8) vs. Fernando Verdasco (30) – How can anyone predict this match?  It should be entertaining, but my pick is a shot in the dark at best.

Grigor Dimitrov (15) vs. Ernests Gulbis (20) – This could be a great match.  Gulbis has a live arm and a lot of natural power.  Dmitrov is climbing the ladder.  Both men have had solid 2014 outings to this point.

Tommy Robredo (16) vs. Marin Cilic (24) – I hope Robredo wins, but I think Cilic is in a great groove.