Djokovic Looks To Avoid Upset In Indian Wells

Defending Paribas Open champion Novak Djokovic is the 11/10 favourite (Numerous) to claim the title again this year. In order to do so, however, he must fight his way past John Isner of Greensboro, North Carolina. Whilst the Serbian is a three-time Indian Wells Masters winner, Isner can claim to have reached the finals of the competition back in 2012, losing out to Roger Federer in straight sets. The now 29-year-old was unlucky to lose out on the opener, that being stolen by the Swiss player by a tie-break but he wilted in the second set to eventually bow out 7-6, 6-3.

Isner beat Djokovic in the semi-final of that renewal, taking the first set on a tie-break before losing the second 6-3 and claiming the third set on another 7-6 result. Indeed, the two players have been separated by a tie-break on a massive eight previous occasions. betfair have 8/11 on there being a tie-break at some point in tomorrow`s encounter whilst Skybet have the best price of 2/1 on a 7-6 result appearing in the opening set. betfair`s 19/10 is the best price on this happening in the second set.

Despite having the world number one`s number on this occasion, Isner has only ever beaten the Serbian in one other meeting, that being in the Cincinnati Masters of 2013. That face off finished 7-6, 3-6, 7-5 in the American`s favour. He would eventually finish runner-up in this competition, being seen off by Rafael Nadal in straight sets (7-6, 7-6).

Having never got the better of Djokovic in straight sets, the odds are 16/1 (betfair, boylesports) on Isner earning himself the victory without dropping a set. A 2-1 win is considered slightly more likely with bet365 offering the best price of 12/1.

Indeed, Djokovic, who has beaten Isner five times in ATP competitions, is the 1/9 favourite with most bookmakers to win by any means. Both 888sport and unibet have him at 17/35 to knock out his rival in straight sets, with that being the fourth time such a result between the two men has ever happened. A two sets to one win in the Monaco resident`s favourite can be backed at 4/1 with ladbrokes.

His opponent is available at 6/1 (bet365, Betfair, Betvictor, sportingbet) to cause any sort of upset.

Djokovic is yet to drop a set in this competition after dispatching the experienced Marcos Baghdatis in the second round of the tournament. The Cypriot player only managed to pick up one game in the opener before being dumped out 6-3 in the second. Twenty-seven-year-old Albert Ramos-Vinolas put up a better effort in the third stage, losing by just seven games to five in the first before being seen off 6-3 in the second. A third consecutive second set 6-3 victory for Djokovic can be picked up at 9/2 with both Betfair and boylesports.

The favourite has already won one title this year, that being the Australian Open in the first 2015 Grand Slam. The 27-year-old also reached the final of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships before losing out to world number two Roger Federer 6-3, 7-5.

Isner took down Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 6-4 in his opening match of the competition before avoiding a potential banana skin by beating South African number 16 seed Kevin Anderson 7-6, 6-2. This will be the 29-year-old Florida resident`s fourth ATP competition this year and will be looking to improve on his slow start.

The 6`10" right-hander`s best finish of the year was in the Memphis Open when reaching the quarter-finals before being seen off by compatriot Sam Querrey when losing two tie-breaks.

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18/03/2015     © Frixo 2026