Day 7 of BNP Parisbas Open got under way on Wednesday with the 4th and 5th seeds at this years tournament taking to the court with very different outcomes after Kei Nishikori fell at the hands of Feliciano Lopez. Lopez’ win over the Japanese player means he will face 4th seed Andy Murray in the next round after he overcame Adrian Mannarino on Stadium 2.
Indian Wells Day 7 Review
Nishikori was many peoples dark horse for this tournament after having such a strong showing in the Masters 1000’s in 2014. Despite his age of 33, Veteran Lopez is currently enjoying his highest ATP Emirates Ranking at No. 12. The Spaniard continued his fine run of form by blasting 12 aces and converting on both break point chances against his opponent to take the match 6-4 7-6 in just 95 minutes.
Opening proceedings on stadium 2 was number 4 seed Andy Murray who comfortably got past his lefthanded opponent 6-3 6-3 in 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Frenchman was clearly overaured by the power and speed of the Scot as he was no match for Andy who has now reached the QF stages in Indian Wells for the fifth time in 10 appearances- he faces Lopez next which will be their 10th meeting.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic also enjoyed success on Wednesday both coming through their matches in straight sets to book their QF spots. Roger Federer beat one of the last 2 American’s left in the draw, youngster Jack Sock. Federer came through the match with a loss of only 5 games in a match lasting little over an hour. The Swiss fired 8 aces past his opponent and also faced no break points against his serve to take the match 6-3 6-2.
Nadal also enjoyed the same success beating talented Frenchman Gilles Simon with the loss of only 6 games. The Frenchman was clearly out manouvered by Nadal, despite breaking the Spaniard twice Rafa reigned supreme, winning the match 6-2 6-4 in 78 minutes.
Djokovic took to a packed stadium 1 court on Wednesday night to take on the last American Standing, John Isner in a repeat of the 2012 4th round encounter. in 2012 it was the American who got the better of Djokovic, however there was no such luck for big-serving Isner who lost to the world number 1 in straight sets. Djokovic matched the big American for aces firing 7 to Isner’s 8, however it was the crucial break of serve in the first set which set the tone for the match. Djokovic came through 6-4 7-6 to deny the home favourite in 91 minutes.
Other winners of the day were Bernard Tomic who defeated countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis in a hard-faught 3 set match lasting just over 2 hours with Tomic taking it 6-4 4-6 6-4. Tomas Berdych also enjoyed a win over his fellow countryman too defeating Lukas Rosol 6-2 4-6 6-4 1 hour and 51 minutes. Milos Raonic enjoyed a much more straightforward victory knocking out Spanish Veteran Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2 to reach the QF.
The Quarter-finals are set and there are a few surprise names which were perhaps not exprexted when the draw was released last Wednesday. Reigning champ Djokovic will take on Tomic, Murray will face Lopez, Nadal will play Raonic and Federer will face Berdych, in perhaps the closest match-up in the QF stages.
