The Picks: Another Classic between Maria and Vika, plus Murray vs Kohlschreiber

Stadium 1, March 16, BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells

Eugenie Bouchard vs CoCo Vandeweghe

“Genie” hasn’t played very well since last July, but she was OK in the Australian and with her new coach, Sam Sumyk, she will compete every single ball. Vandeweghe has improved quite a bit since last year and has a gigantic first serve, but Bouchard will rank her around and win in three sets.

Andy Murray vs Philipp Kohlschreiber

The Britain really needs to win another Masters Series 1000 soon. He is over due. Yes, the German has a beautiful one-hander and he is cagey, but Murray knows exactly what types of shot. Murray will win in straight sets.

Madison Keys vs Jelena Jankovic

The young American can crack her first, can slug it from both wings and is pretty fair at the net. The former No. 1 “JJ” could play super steady and kissing at the lines with her backhand but she has slowed down. Keys will win quickly in two sets.

Maria Sharapova vs Victoria Azarenka

Sharapova has been much better over the past year and half, but Azarenka is coming back and trying very again. While Azarenka is not perfect yet, she is looking very aggressive and extremely good at the net. However, Sharapova doesn’t not like losing against her foe, especially because they cannot hang around together. Azarenka can pull Sharapova into the corners and keep her guessing, but the Belarussian isn’t blasting her serves in 2012-2013 and she can be attacked. Sharapova will nail her second serves and win in three sets.

Stadium 2

Fernando Verdasco vs Kei Nishikori

Six years ago, Verdasco was really slugging his lefty serve, but these days he hasn’t progressed. Nishikori can wipe out his foe on his backhand and is substantially quicker. Kei will win is straight sets.

John Isner vs Kevin Anderson

Isner has not had a good year at all and Anderson has been fairly solid. Both men are very tall, which means they can slam in aces after aces. Neither returns particularly well. Essentially, they will have three tiebreaks, and whom ever grabs two sets will win. Take Isner, only because he is way over due and he has played very well at Indian Wells. He just likes that sunshine.