Thursday
Viktor Troicki vs. Albert Ramos-Vinolas: Troicki’s comeback is in full flight and he has plenty of momentum after a comeback from two sets down against Borna Coric helped Serbia to a commanding Davis Cup win over Croatia. Troicki in 2.
(Q) Dennis Novikov vs. (Q) Jurgen Melzer: Melzer battled through a tough qualifying match against fellow veteran Michael Russell. His experience will be the difference in this one. Melzer in 2.
Teymuraz Gabashvili vs. Juan Monaco: Monaco has some momentum after a strong showing in Buenos Aires and the conditions should give him a slight advantage in this matchup. Monaco in 3.
Vasek Pospisil vs. Mikhail Kukushkin: Both men are coming off huge Davis Cup performances. The bottom line is Pospisil is far more solid and consistent than an extremely up-and-down Kukushkin. Pospisil in 3.
(WC) Thanasi Kokkinakis vs. Jan-Lennard Struff: This is sure to be a competitive contest and Kokkinakis knows how to handle that kind of situation (see: his Australian Open upset of Ernests Gulbis and his recent Davis Cup win over Lukas Rosol). Kokkinakis in 3.
(Q) Borna Coric vs. Andreas Haider-Maurer: Coric is quite simply a far superior talent and his 9-7 in the third-set tiebreaker win over Bjorn Fratangelo on Wednesday should help him forget his Davis Cup meltdown against Troicki. Coric in 2.
Ivan Dodig vs. Joao Sousa: Dodig-Sousa is likely to be an absolute war. It could go either way, but a somewhat slow, high-bouncing surface may favorite the man not to be confused with recent clay-court marathoner Joao Souza. Sousa in 3.
(WC) Tim Smyczek vs. Benjamin Becker: Smyczek should have the American crowd firmly behind him thanks to his stellar play and even more impressive sportsmanship Down Under. Smyczek in 3.
(Q) James Duckworth vs. Dominic Thiem: Indian Wells is where Thiem’s huge hot streak in the spring of 2014 began. The good feelings should return. Thiem in 2.
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