Indian Wells: Men's Quarterfinals

The round of 8 is ready now on the men's side as well and we have mix of the steady top players and a few second-tier guys who have made it through.

1) Rafael Nadal (ESP)
2) Roger Federer (SUI)
3) Novak Djokovic (SRB)
12) Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)
18) Richard Gasquet (FRA)
25) Tommy Robredo (ESP)
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)
Ivo Karvolic (CRO)

The what I now call "Big 3" have methodically advanced, Nadal with his now becoming typical draw of unseeded players.  If Del Potro wins his quarterfinal match, Nadal wouldn't face a seeded player until the final.  The next group of players has really flamed out in the tournament including Soderling (R32 loss to Kohlschreiber), Murray (R64 loss to Young???), Ferrer (R64 loss to Karlovic), Berdych (R16 loss to Wawrinka), and Roddick (R16 loss to Gasquet).  The Americans had put in a good showing until yesterday when they (Roddick, Querrey, and Harrison) lost all 6 sets they players.  But young Harrison managed to beat Milos Raonic in R32.  Del Potro's return from injury continues to go well and at the rate he's going he'll easily be seeded by the French Open.

Defending champion Ivan Ljubicic lost in his first match to Del Potro which is isn't a bad loss but it will cost him nearly half his ranking points.  Only two players remain from last year's quarterfinals:  Rafael Nadal (SF) and Tommy Robredo (QF).  These two could meet in the semis.  Roddick's points take a big hit by failing to get back to the final though he likely will stay at #8 but still defending his title in Miami in the next 2 weeks becomes very important.  Whoever makes it further will be #2 between Federer and Djokovic.

The surprise run in this tournament besides Ryan Harrison has been Ivo Karlovic, one of 2 unseeded quarterfinalists.  Maybe the big serving Croat is finally recovered from the injuries that have plagued him for nearly a year.  Also former 2 time NCAA champ Somdev Devvarman had a nice run to the R16 as a qualifier before he gave Nadal a tough match.

Here are today's matches:
-Nadal vs Karlovic
-Robredo vs Del Potro
-Djokovic vs Gasquet
-Federer vs Wawrinka