ATP Indian Wells: Quarter-Final Predictions

1. Rafael Nadal v Roger Federer (Thursday)

Roger Federer

They were made to battle hard, but Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both came through three set matches on Wednesday to set up a mouthwatering quarter-final clash in Indian Wells.  Nadal was two points from defeat against Ernests Gulbis, but his winning instinct shone through at the end as he secured a 4-6 6-4 7-5 victory to snap Gulbis's 13 match winning streak.  Federer struggled to put his friend, Stanislas Wawrinka to bed as he failed to serve the match out at the first attempt in the second set before wrapping it up in 3 sets, 6-3 6-7(4) 7-5.

Nadal's comeback has been one of the highlights of 2013 so far and after defeating David Ferrer in style in the final of Acapulco, this will be the ultimate test for the Spaniard.  Both have their issues heading in tonight's showcase as Nadal is still fighting with his knees, meanwhile Federer has been struggling with a back injury, which he picked up in his third round match against Ivan Dodig.  Nadal leads the head-to-head by 18 wins to 10, but it was Federer who won their last encounter at Indian Wells last year.  The head-to-head is almost irrrelevant and I have to back Federer to prevail over Rafa...

Prediction - Federer to beat Nadal in 2 tight sets

2. Tomas Berdych v Kevin Anderson (Thursday)

The only player outside of the top 8 to break into the quarter-finals is Kevin Anderson, who is having a very impressive 2013 so far.  The South African defeated Gilles Simon in three sets and took out David Ferrer in the second set.  He had surgery on his elbow after the Australian Open, which makes his exploits this week even more impressive.  His quarter-final opponent is Tomas Berdych, who condemned Richard Gasquet to another loss against a top tenner in a routine 6-1 7-5 victory.  Unfortunately for Anderson, he is Berdych's pigeon with five consecutive losses including a straight sets defeat at the Australian Open this year.  Berdych is playing very well right now so I cannot see Anderson breaking his duck today.

Prediction - Berdych to beat Anderson in 2 sets (1 tight, 1 easy)

3. Andy Murray v Juan Martin Del Potro (Friday)

Andy Murray

Tomorrow's top quarter-final will see a long awaited match-up between Andy Murray and Juan Martin Del Potro.  The pair have not met since the 2009 World Tour Finals when Murray prevailed in three sets.  Murray has not faced a seed or anyone inside the top 75 of the ATP rankings this week; he defeated Carlos Berlocq in a more-difficult-than-expected 4th round match, 7-6(4) 6-4.  The main analysis from the match surrounded Murray's complaints over Berlocq's inconsistent grunting.  Del Potro was far more impressive as he slayed Tommy Haas in 66 minutes, 6-1 6-2.  The Argentine has yet to find his very best form in 2013, but has still had a pretty solid year.  Murray has won five of their six encounters, but his form has been patchy at best this week.  I'm going for the upset win and a win for Delpo.

Prediction - Del Potro to beat Murray in 3 sets

4. Novak Djokovic v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (Friday)

A sensational quarter-finals line-up in Indian Wells is concluded with a none-too-shabby clash between Novak Djokovic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.  Djokovic did not take to the court on Wednesday, well actually Thursday morning, until well after midnight due to the succession of long three set matches on the top court.  He beat Sam Querrey, 6-0 7-6(6), meanwhile Tsonga battled back against Milos Raonic and fought through a knee injury to win 4-6 7-5 6-4.  Raonic showed much promise in the opening set and was returning well, but he tailed off towards the end and double faulted on match point.  Djokovic leads the head-to-head by 9 wins to 5, but he has won their last 5 matches and has always looked comfortable since their epic French Open quarter-final from 2012 when Tsonga missed several match points.  Tsonga hasn't looked sharp this week so I cannot see any upset on the horizon.  Djokovic for the win...

Prediction - Djokovic to beat Tsonga in 2 sets