Saturday
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Marcos Baghdatis: A rejuvenated Baghdatis will play with nothing to lose…because there isn’t anything to lose. His record against Djokovic (0-7) cannot get any worse from a percentage standpoint. Djokovic in 2.
(18) John Isner vs. (Q) Jurgen Melzer: Isner’s struggles against left-handed opponents have been well-documented and a matchup problem (he is 1-3 lifetime vs. Melzer) is not what he needs right now. The big man’s slump reached new heights with a Davis Cup loss to James Ward (15-13 in the fifth set). Melzer in 3.
(WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis vs. (23) Guillermo Garcia-Lopez: Kokkinakis will be a trendy upset pick in this one and it very well could happen. That being said, the up-and-coming Aussie may still be feeling the effects of a tough Davis Cup effort in the Czech Republic and a well-rested Garcia-Lopez has been in outstanding form. Garcia-Lopez in 3.
Ivan Dodig vs. (8) David Ferrer: Although none has ended in straight sets, Ferrer is 3-0 lifetime against Dodig. The Spaniard has been inexplicably poor in Indian Wells over the years, but he has been positively on fire right now. He is poised for a run at least to the quarterfinals. Ferrer in 2.
(4) Andy Murray vs. Vasek Pospisil: Murray is 2-0 in the head-to-head series and 4-0 in total sets after beating Pospisil last month in Rotterdam. Both men are coming off successful Davis Cup showings and confidence should lead to a high-quality encounter. Murray in 2.
(WC) Tim Smyczek vs. (26) Philipp Kohlschreiber: This is a huge opportunity for Smyczek, who should be known for more than just his sportsmanship against Rafael Nadal Down Under because his play has been stellar of late. Kohlschreiber is an awful 3-6 in 2015 and one of the three wins came in a dead Davis Cup rubber. Smyczek in 3.
(19) Fabio Fognini vs. Adrian Mannarino: These two faced each other at last year’s U.S. Open and Mannarino humiliated the Italian 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. There is no reason to think Fognini will turn the tide now. Aside from a Rio upset of Nadal, Fognini has been a disaster (in singles) this season–including a loss of a decisive Davis Cup rubber to Kazakhstan’s Aleksandr Nedovyesov. Mannarino in 2.
(LL) Daniel Gimeno-Traver vs. (14) Ernests Gulbis: DGT got in as a lucky loser and his luck just keeps getting better with this ideal second-round draw. Gulbis is winless this season. Gimeno-Traver in 3.
(WC) Ryan Harrison vs. (5) Kei Nishikori: Harrison pushed Nishikori to three sets in Memphis, but Nishikori did not play well the entire week (despite winning the title). The American probably should have lost to Mardy Fish on Thursday. Nishikori in 2.
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