Friday preview.

It was great to see Ivan Ljubicic fight back from a set down against Juan Monaco with some massive serving to book himself a slot in the semi-finals to play Nadal. Even though he is not expected to get past Nadal (although this tournament has not been one to go with expectation!), he should be proud of his efforts of being the first croatian to reach the semi finals of Indian Wells since Goran Ivanisevic in 1996. As for Nadal, he was beautifully clinical against and in-form Berdych. Should he make it to the final, to win his first tournament since Rome in April last year, he will have face one of the winners of today’s matches…

[18] T Robredo (ESP) vs [7] A Roddick (USA)
Tommy Robredo and Andy Roddick have a long history of playing against each other, and unfortunately Tommy has only ever taken one set in their ten matches they have played. He has even lost against Andy on his beloved (and Andy’s not so beloved) clay. I can’t see today being any different. I don’t believe Tommy has the weapons to cope or even retalliate with Roddick’s blistering serve and for that reason I believe it will be Roddick who progresses to the semi’s.

[4] A Murray (GBR) vs [6] R Soderling (SWE)
Murray hasn’t exactly been on the scintilating form that got him to the final of the ozzy open, but now he has the chance to make the semi-finals in a masters event on his favourite surface, I believe he will step it up a gear. Soderling is a dangerous opponent however, and depending which Robin decides to turn up today will have a huge bearing on the match. Soderling will need to be at his level best to stop Andy Murray moving into the semi finals.