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Indian Wells 2010 - Predictions - 10 Mar 2010

Indian Wells 2010 - Predictions
Men
QF1
Federer and Roddick should get by Monfils and Stepanek with interesting potential spoilers Baghdatis in the 3R for Fed and Nalbandian in the 4R for Roddick
Fed d Rod

QF2
If Murray "tries" and keeps his head together he should gain the QF easily.  His opponent there likely to be Tsonga or Soderling who could stage 4R pyrotechnics.
Mur d Sod

QF3
Predicting Davydenko wins is usually perilous - he seems to have the ability to completely blow it.  He should get by Verdasco in 4R, but no guarantees.  If Nadal's new foot orthotics do half for him what mine have done for me, he should be able to regain top form and confidence in short order.
Nad d Dav

QF4
There seems little that could prevent a Cilic - Djokovic meeting.  Djokovic has looked determined, talented, and inconsistent recently.  Cilic has looked powerful and consistent.
Cil d Djo

SF1
Federer does not seem willing to dig deep at the 1000 events like at GS's.  Murray will want revenge and has a winning record against Fed outside of GS events.
Mur def Fed

SF2
A confident Nadal could well defend this title.  This is one of the toughest calls for me.  I think both are hungry but Cilic has the kind of game that can trouble Nadal - power and height.
Cil d Nad

F
I think Murray has more variety and will frustrate with amazing defense.
Mur d Cil

Women
QF1
Clijsters should survive stiff tests from Kleybanova and Kuznetsova.  The other half of this quarter looks very soft.  Neither Jankovic nor Pennetta have shown the form of Peer this year.
Cli d Peer

QF2
This quarter contains all of last years SFists - Zvonareva, Ivanovic, Azarenka, and Pavlyuchenkova as well as 2-time champ Hantuchova, youngsters Larcher de Brito and Oudin, dangerous floaters Dulgheru, Bammer, and Safarova, and the powerful Wickmayer, not to mention #8 seed Stosur.  Zvonareva seems inspired by her new coach and Azarenka has a huge game so it should come down to a tough one between these two.
Aza d Zvo

QF3
Not seeding Henin is ridiculous, rules be damned.  I had no intention of picking Dementieva to get this far, but there seems no alternative.  Would not be surprised to see young Hercog in 4R.
Hen d Dem

QF4
Li certainly could win this quarter, but I have a feeling the real Sharapova may finally show up.  If Wozniacki can't get by Kirilenko, I will begin to lose faith in her.
Sha d Woz

SF1
Assuming she doesn't pull an AO, Clijsters should be able to handle Azarenka's power.
Cli d Aza

SF2
Despite USO final 2006, Henin should destroy Sharapova
Hen d Sha

F
Clijsters appears to have the tools to win this matchup but not the mentality.  Henin should be hungrier.
Hen d Cli
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