Novak Djokovic will continue his Indian Wells campaign against Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday. Marin Cilic and Milos Raonic are also bidding for a place in the fourth round.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (31) Grigor Dimitrov
Djokovic and Dimitrov will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in round three of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday. Their only previous encounter came last fall in Shanghai, where Djokovic cruised 6-3, 6-2.
Dimitrov ended last year at No. 48 in the world but he managed to snag a seed for Indian Wells and is in position to do the same for Roland Garros thanks to a stellar start to his 2013 campaign. The 31st-ranked Bulgarian finished runner-up in Brisbane and he is coming off a semifinal appearance in Rotterdam. Dimitrov improved to 10-5 for the season with a 6-4, 6-4 dismissal of Matthew Ebden on Sunday. Djokovic dropped a set in a relatively lackluster win over Fabio Fognini in round two, but nobody is hotter than the top-ranked Serb right now–no, not even Ernests Gulbis. Djokovic has not lost a match since last fall in Paris, and even that was due to nothing more than disinterest. The two-time Indian Wells champion captured a third straight Australian Open title and he also triumphed in Dubai.
Dimitrov has the talent to hang with just about anyone on tour, but this is tough proposition for the underdog. Expect Djokovic to treat his opener as a wakeup call and turn in a far more impressive performance that what was on display in his opener.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
(12) Marin Cilic vs. (17) Milos Raonic
Cilic and Raonic will be squaring off for the second time in their careers on Tuesday in Indian Wells. Their only prior engagement came two years ago on the indoor hard courts of Valencia, where Cilic prevailed 6-4, 6-4. The 6’6” Croat is generally a fast starter when it comes to seasons and this one is no different. He owns a 12-3 record–which includes a title in Zagreb–after taking care of Albert Ramos 7-6(7), 6-2 on Sunday.
Raonic has a similar record in 2013, 9-3 with one title (his third straight in San Jose). The Canadian has not yet played a match this fortnight, as he got a walkover from Michael Llodra following a first-round bye. That may not be advantageous for Raonic, who has not taken the court since a first-round Memphis loss to Jack Sock. With conditions slightly slower than the world No. 17 would like, Cilic will have a great chance here.
Pick: Cilic in 3
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