Novak Djokovic

If you like predictable, you would not like what’s happening at Indian Wells this year. The California Desert has become the upset capital of the world. The trend continued on Wednesday as number 2 seed, Novak Djokovic joined top seeded Roger Federer in the peanut gallery for the remainder of the week.

Djokovic fell to Croatian Ivan Ljubicic in straight sets, 6-3, 7-5 in a tense afternoon match. With the win, Ljubicic moves on to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open. Novak Djokovic started well, gaining a quick break to jump ahead 3-1 in the opening set. The Croatian came right back with two consecutive breaks in a run of five games to the delight of frenzied fans.

Ljubicic did not crumble under the surrounding swarm of attention. Instead, he improved his already impressive serving statistics, surrendering no breaks en route to the 7-5 second set triumph. Djokovic had mounted a three set come-from-behind against Ljubicic win in Dubai two weeks ago. This time the Croatian slammed the door ending the Serb’s eight match winning streak.

Ljubicic, a former world number three, will entertain a challenge from Argentine Juan Monaco in the quarters. The 21 seed put down a determined effort from unseeded upset specialist Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, who had previously eliminated Marin Cilic and Thomas Bellucci.

This time, Monaco did not falter as he converted all eight of his break point opportunities in the 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 comeback. The Argentine’s previous best showing at Indian Wells had been a third round finish. He will have his hands full with Ljubicic.

Two of the tournaments hot players, Robin Soderling and Jo Wilfried Tsonga squared off in a thrilling fourth round match. Soderling was too consistent for the flashy Frenchman and won 6-3, 6-4 with his usual calm demeanor.

Soderling earned the right to take on number four seed, Andy Murray who won when Nicolas Almagro was forced to retire with an ankle injury. Murray was only on the court for 38 minutes and has not appeared tournament-fit a yet.

American Andy Roddick, a 7-6 (5), 6-4 winner over Austrian Jurgen Melzer will face Spain’s Tommy Robredo, who put away Federer conqueror Marcos Bagdhatis 7-6, 0-6, 6-4. The Cypriot failed to convert any of his eight break point opportunities in the closing set.

Roddick has only lost one of 31 service games thus far. The win boosted his lifetime record against Melzer to 10-0.

The final quarterfinal pairing will feature 3 seed Rafa Nadal, the defending champion, and 19th seeded Czech Tomas Berdych. Berdych advanced by way of a convincing 6-1, 6-3 thrashing of Serb Viktor Troicki in a reversal of last year’s result at Indian Wells. Berdych will find the going a bit more difficult against the smooth playing Nadal.

Nadal needed all his plentiful magic against 15th seeded American John Isner. The 6’9” behemoth only gave Nadal one break point opportunity in the first set, but the Spaniard took it and ran to a 7-5 win. Isner did not make the same mistake in the second set and managed a break of his own to capture the set 6-3.

In the end, it was Nadal’s brilliant forehand adjustments that pressured the Isner serve to gain the only break of the third set. Nadal was visibly relived to escape the 6-3 final set. Isner is a player to be reckoned with as the year unfolds. Nadal holds a 6-3-career match edge over Berdych heading into today’s quarterfinal.

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