Tennis Picks March 15th (Indian Wells)

We are getting down to the last few days here at Indian Wells as the Women's Quarter Finals are completed today, while the first two Men's Quarter Finals are played.

Hopefully the week will be ending in a positive note, and then we can get on with the Miami draw that should be out by Tuesday next week.


Novak Djokovic - 5.5 games v Nicolas Almagro: Novak Djokovic has not looked at his best this week if I am honest, but I think he may take advantage of his opponent who could come out a little emotionally flat after a win over Tomas Berdych yesterday.

You could see after the first couple of games that Almagro really wanted the win over Berdych and that can take it out of a player mentally, even though he is now facing the best player in the World.

Djokovic had a tougher match in the last Round than I think many would have predicted, but even then he was a fairly comfortable winner in the end, while he has been doing just enough in the first couple of Rounds.

I think this is the time when the Serb will start cranking up his game as the tournament comes to the end of the road and I think he is going to be a little too tough for Almagro. I am hoping Djokovic makes a fast start and that should enable him to get the cover.

Marion Bartoli v Ana Ivanovic: Ana Ivanovic was very impressive in her dismantling of Caroline Wozniacki in the previous Round, but I am still not quite convinced that the former World Number 1 can consistently play to that level and this is a very tough test for her.

Marion Bartoli had been struggling with an injury a few weeks ago, but has shown she is back up to fitness this week and I think she will stamp her authority on Ivanovic having won 3 of their last 4 meetings including here at Indian Wells last season.

I expect the French player will be able to grind down Ivanovic who has struggled to find her best game on a regular basis, while she will also be playing a player that will feel completely comfortable that she has the game to beat her.

John Isner win 2-0 in sets v Gilles Simon: I am backing the big American to keep the local interest alive today against a player that is tough to beat, but one that could be under a lot of pressure to keep up against this server.

John Isner will keep the pressure on Simon because his serve is going to be very tough to break down, while Simon does throw in a bad couple of games on his own serve in a set of tennis. They met in a tough 4 setter at the US Open last season, but Isner won all 3 tie-breakers on that occasion and I think that will give him the edge here.

Simon has had a good tournament so far, but he has not been in the best of form before this week and I think it is going to be a step too far for him today.


MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 5.5 games @ 2.10 Pinnacle (2 Units)
Marion Bartoli @ 1.90 Panbet (2 Units)
John Isner win 2-0 in sets @ 2.38 William Hill (2 Units)


Weekly Update: 9-7, + 4.04 Units (32 Units Staked)