Day 6 began with a promise of great matches and the promise indeed was fulfilled.It was packed with adventure and thrill. The day started with Federer sweating out the challenge of Dmitry Tursunov in two tie break sets.Then was served up what could be called as the best match of 2014 Indian Wells open so far wherein Alexandr Dolgopolov caused the biggest upset of the World no.1 Rafael Nadal and avenged the recent Rio Open’s loss in finals to him.Andy Murray fought off the challenge of Jiri Vesely in three sets. Stanislas Wawrinka overwhelmed Andreas Seppi, the latter winning a mere two games in their 11th encounter. Fabio Fognini saved 2 match points en route to beating Monfils in an entertaining 3 set match. Milos Raonic, Kevin Anderson, Haas also registered their victories.
Now we enter into into round of 32 matches of the bottom half, Day 7 of men’s singles.With great performances even by low ranked players, the week has become all the more interesting and it gets difficult to predict the winner. My predictions are as follows:
1.Alejandro Gonzalez vs [2] Novak Djokovic:
Djokovic won his last match in straight sets but is still looking for room for improvement and is quenching for a better performance.Gonzalez battled out the seeded Ivan Dodig and scraped it to three sets. This will be the first meeting between the two players
Prediction: Djokovic to win in straight sets with sporadic resistance from Alejandro Gonzalez.
2. [24] Marin Cilic vs [16] Tommy Robredo:
This match will be a high quality one because it is between the in-form big hitter Cilic and Robredo – who is the epitome of the never say die attitude. Cilic flew past Lorenzi in the previous round and Robredo fended off the challenge of Matosevic in three sets.Both of the men will have to bring out the best in them to claim their spot in the next round.Robredo leads 2-1 in their head to head meetings which have all occured before 2009 with Robredo winning their 2009 encounter at the very same venue – Indian Wells
Prediction: Pretty tough to call, but Cilic might edge Robredo and equal their head to head record.
3.[12] John Isner vs Yen-Hsun Lu:
The last American standing in the men’s draw – John Isner and the Chinese Taipei player Lu won their previous round matches in straight sets. Isner maintains a perfect 2-0 record in their head to head meetings.
Prediction: Isner to edge past Lu in straight sets, might face a little resistance.
4.[8] Richard Gasquet vs [30]Fernando Verdasco
This match will actually be the most difficult one to call because both the men are good quality players and have exchanged some great matches between them. They are also quite inconsistent with their performances which means one can throw out the form book when calling a result on this match. Gasquet had an easy outing in his previous match and as he won the first, set his opponent Gabashvili retired due to injury. Verdasco also won in straight sets. Gasquet holds a 7-6 record in their head to head meetings winning the recent match at the 2013 Paris open.
Prediction: Tough to call but Gasquet might edge past Verdasco in a three set encounter.
5. [15] Grigor Dimitrov vs [20] Ernests Gulbis:
Dimitrov is in his career best form and is playing some of the best tennis of his life. He won his previous match in straight sets.On the other hand, Gulbis also won his match in straight sets. They have met two times in their career, both the meetings coming this year in Rotterdam and Acapulco respectively.Gulbis took the first one bur Dimitrov took the second. Both the players are extremely talented and a good match can be expected. This has to be the “Match of the Day”
Prediciton : Another tough one to call but Dimitrov will win in 2 tough sets filled with glorious shot-making.
OTHER PREDICITONS:
6.Dominic Thiem vs Julien Benetteau:
Benetteau to soar past Thiem after upsetting fellow frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
7.Jarkko Nieminen vs Roberto Bautista Agut:
After causing the upset pf Berdych, I expect Bautista Agut to continue his good run.
8.Feliciano Lopez vs Mikhail Kukushkin
Lopez to win in a 3 set battle.
This new day has again got some action packed matches and yet again promises to provide tough battles even at this early stage.
-Vishakha Khandelwal [Vishakha is a Tennis Analyst for Sportz Cosmos. You can reach her at the gmail id : sportzcosmos]
SportzCosmos 
Great work Vishakha…. Hope to see ur predictions turn up true….
Well done Vishakha…really enjoy reading your predictions
Great work Vishakha! I am really happy for Verdasco and Ernie. Time for them to challenge the hegemony of the big four.