Novak Djokovic will be hoping to find another gear when he continues his Indian Wells campaign against Philipp Kohlschreiber on Tuesday. Dominic Thiem and Jack Sock are also part of third-round action.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (27) Philipp Kohlschreiber
Djokovic and Kohlschreiber will be facing each other for the ninth time in their careers when they battle for a spot in round four of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday night. The head-to-head series stands at 7-1 in favor of Djokovic, who has won six in a row at Kohlschreiber’s expense. Only at the 2009 French Open did Kohlschreiber pull off an upset via a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 decision. The two veterans most recently squared off last summer at Wimbledon, where Djokovic prevailed by the same 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 margin. Ten straight sets have gone Djokovic’s way without a single one even progressing to a tiebreaker.
Out of nowhere, the world No. 1 has become a bit of question mark. After winning the Australian Open, Djokovic retired from a Dubai quarterfinal against Feliciano Lopez with an eye infection, needed five sets to beat Mikhail Kukushkin in Davis Cup action, and was pushed to three by Bjorn Fratangelo on Sunday. Kohlschreiber has heated up with a semifinal performance in Rotterdam, a quarterfinal showing in Dubai, two Davis Cup wins over the Czech Republic, and a 6-0, 6-1 beatdown of Denis Kudla in the Indian Wells second round. But the 30th-ranked German has been just about hopeless in this matchup of late and Djokovic will be eager to make amends for his recent underwhelming outings.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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(11) Dominic Thiem vs. (21) Jack Sock
Kohlschreiber’s doubles partner, Thiem, is the ATP Tour leader in match wins this season. The 13th-ranked Austrian rolled through February with titles in Buenos Aires and Acapulco in addition to a semifinal finish in Rio de Janeiro. He improved to 21-4 for his 2016 campaign with a 7-6(4), 7-6(3) victory over Jozef Kovalik on Sunday. Up next for Thiem is Sock, whom the 11th seed will also face in the doubles quarterfinals. Their only previous meeting came last year in Miami, also in the third round, with Thiem getting the job done 6-4, 6-3.
This one should be more competitive, and not just because Thiem has to be running on fumes due to so much recent tennis. The conditions in Indian Wells suit Sock’s game to perfection and he reached the last 16 in 2015 before bowing out at the hands of Roger Federer. Sock opened on Sunday with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Michael Berrer. The 24th-ranked American will be able to match Thiem in the serve and forehand departments, but Thiem’s incredible confidence and his far superior backhand should end up making the difference in what is sure to be an entertaining affair.
Pick: Thiem in 3
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who ya got?
Kohls isn’t the easiest opponent for Nole. Nole in 3.
I’m split between Thiem and Sock. Voted Thiem in 3. My first reaction yesterday was Sock in 3 – this morning I’m thinking the PospiSock commitments and Sock’s a more serious doubles player is my guess than Thiem. Thiem and Kohls will play PospiSock in their next Dubs match.
Going with Thiem and Nole in two.
But if Nole doesn’t step it up kohl may surprise him. Also sock has a shot at Thiem but I think he’ll just edge it in two competitive sets kind of like their meeting at Miami last year.
i think kohl has a real chance this time around. he looked amazing vs Kudla and Joker seems vulnerable. Kohl in 3. Thiem too good…straight.
BOLD.
wow
Nole ole is looking better than he did last match. Yes, sharper. Kohlsy had some chances, though, that 1st set. 7-5 Nole.
Daria Kasatkina and Timea Bacsinszky just started. Timea with the break already. I’ve got tennis on TV and on my laptop. Come on, Daria!
Vika is cruising v Sam Stosur.
Rafa won. All is well in tennis land.
Nole somehow had to win that second set 7-5 but nonetheless he gets it done in straights. Good fight from Kohlschreiber though.