Day 1 Indian Wells selections

By Mark Skendaris
 
Carlos Moya (ESP) v Tim Smyczek (USA) –
The veteran Moya has started the season slowly, going 1-4. Smyczek has qualified with good wins over Brown and Krajinovic. I can see an upset here and I am going for the young American in three sets.
 
Michael Berrer (GER) v Mardy Fish (USA) –
Berrer is in career best form, this year he won the Heilbronn challenger followed by a Zagreb final appearance, eventually going down to Cilic. Fish made the final in Indian Wells in 2008 so he loves the conditions. It will be a close match, but Fish should win in a tight three set battle.
 
Taylor Dent (USA) v Ryan Harrison (USA) –
The pair played twice in 2009 on the challenger circuit, one win each. Harrison is a star of the future, but Dent is still a tough opponent. He is 2-6 this season but he has had some unfavorable draws. His aggressive serve-volley game will be too much for the youngster to handle. Dent in two sets.
 
Potito Starace (ITA) v Jeremy Chardy (FRA) –
Two handy players but I think the Frenchman will get the win here. He has beaten Starace on a hardcourt before and the surface suits his more aggressive game style better. Chardy in straight sets.
 
Bobby Reynolds (USA) v Mario Ancic (CRO) –
Reynolds came through the qualifying with good wins over Istomin and Cook. Ancic is still suffering from his Mononucleosis problem and seems to still be struggling. Reynolds with get every ball back and should account for the Croat comfortably.
 
Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) v Ernests Gulbis (LAT) –
Chiudinelli is in decent form, but he meets an in-form Gulbis here. The Latvian was impressive winning his first title in Delray Beach last month. Chiudinelli is a flashy player, but he will find Gulbis too much to handle in this one.
 
Pablo Cuevas (URU) v Frederico Gil (POR) –
Both guys prefer clay, but Cuevas is a more handy player than Gil on a hardcourt. The Uruguayan won their last meeting in Brazil and a similar result looks likely here. The Portuguese baseliner is struggling this season and I expect Cuevas to win this one easily.
 
Rajeev Ram (USA) v Daniel Koellerer (AUT) –
Koellerer is horribly out of form, going 1-6 this season. Ram is not traveling much better, but the fast conditions in California will be to his advantage in this match-up. The Austrian’s mental fragilities make it hard for him to win at this level. Ram in two sets.
 
Olivier Rochus (BEL) v Fabio Fognini (ITA) –
Both play counter-punching baseline tennis, but the Belgian has the edge here. He has more experience at this level than the Italian, who doesn’t win many matches away from clay. Rochus to win in straight sets.
 
Leonardo Mayer (ARG) v Brian Dabul (ARG) –
Dabul has won the pairs three previous meetings at challenger level, but I can’t see him winning here. Mayer is a solid player, with a better serve and is better off the ground than his opponent. He won’t let this opportunity slip to move on to the second round. Mayer in two sets.
 
Christophe Rochus (BEL) v Philipp Petzschner (GER) –
They have played twice at ATP Tout level, one win each. Rochus is 0-5 this season and doesn’t look like getting his first victory here. Petzschner will be too powerful and he beat Rochus in Zagreb earlier this year. The German will win again.
Alejandro Falla (COL) v Florent Serra (FRA) –
Two tour grinders who are very tough to beat. The Frenchman probably just has the edge in skill and temperament. Falla will see this one out to the last point, but I’m tipping Serra to move into the second round here. Serra in three close sets.
 
Ramon Delgado (PAR) v Andreas Beck (GER) –
The 33-year-old veteran Delgado has qualified here this week so he is match hardened. Beck makes his first tournament appearance of the season and might not be ready for the challenge. The Paraguayan knows the American conditions which will see him move into the second round.
 
Thiago Alves (BRA) v Rainer Schuettler (GER) –
Two qualifiers battle in this one, and there won’t be a lot in the final result. Schuettler is well past his best, but he will see this as a good chance to post a win over the unheralded Brazilian. Alves will try hard, but it won’t be enough in this one. Schuettler in three sets.
 
Guillermo García-Lopez (ESP) vs. Lukas Lacko (SVK) –
Garcia-Lopez loves the fast hardcourts in America, but he meets an improving Lacko here. The Slovakian is 8-6 this season while the Spaniard is 0-5. I think Lacko is more consistent from the baseline and can win this one.
 
Bjorn Phau (GER) v Kevin Anderson (RSA) –
The defensive baseliner meets the attacking serve-volleyer. Phau still finds a way to make these ATP 1000 events so he can play. Anderson has a big game, but can falter when pressure is applied to it. Both qualifiers will be hungry for the win, but Anderson’s victory over Sweeting looks like better form than the German’s. Anderson in three sets.