Novak Djokovic and John Isner will meet for the third time in Indian Wells when they do battle in the desert on Wednesday. An all-Aussie showdown between Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis is also on the fourth-round docket.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (18) John Isner
Djokovic and Isner will be facing each other for the eighth time in their careers when they collide in the BNP Paribas Open fourth round on Wednesday. The head-to-head series stands at a competitive 5-2 in Djokovic’s favor. Only two of his wins have come in straight sets and both of Isner’s victories–not surprisingly–have come in the United States. The 6’10” American prevailed 7-6(7), 3-6, 7-6(5) in the semifinals of this event in 2012 and 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 in the 2013 Cincinnati quarters. Their other Indian Wells encounter took place last season, when Djokovic survived a semifinal clash 7-5, 6-7(2), 6-1.
Isner often suggests that the conditions in Indian Wells suit his game better than any other tournament. The world No. 20 has lost his opening match only once in eight appearances. His overall record is 18-7 following dominant performances against Jurgen Melzer and Kevin Anderson. Djokovic has taken care of Marcos Baghdatis and Albert Ramos-Vinolas despite dealing with a minor foot problem. At 100 percent, the world No. 1’s unparalleled return game should eventually break down the big man. Anything less than 100 percent would put Djokovic in extreme danger against Isner given how confident Isner is on this particular court.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
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(WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis vs. (32) Bernard Tomic
A week ago, Kokkinakis was not even in the Indian Wells main draw. But Juan Martin Del Potro pulled out and his wild card went to the 18-year-old Australian. To say Kokkinakis has made the most of it would be an understatement. After beating Jan-Lennard Struff in two sets, he outlasted in-form opponents Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Juan Monaco both in three (including a third-set tiebreaker against Monaco).
Up next for Kokkinakis is an all-Australian affair with Tomic, who won their only previous meeting 7-6(2), 6-1 earlier this season in Brisbane. A red-hot Tomic is 18-6 in 2015 with Indian Wells wins over Borna Coric and David Ferrer. The world No. 35 is no stranger to the second week of big events, whereas Kokkinakis had never previously been anywhere near this point at this kind of tournament. The underdog’s mental strength cannot be question, but physically he has to be feeling the effects. Tomic’s consistent play and backhand slice that will stay low and out of Kokkinakis’ strike zone should make the difference.
Pick: Tomic in 2
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