Raonic vs Dolgopolov - this will be an odd one.

First of 4 Quarterfinals at the BNP Paribas Open

By Jawad Bisharat

Today the big serving and pure tennis of Milos Rionic will face the unorthodox and unpredictable strokes of Alexandr Dolgopolov for the first time.

The two have never faced one another and we didn't expect it here. This was supposed to be Nadal vs Murray remember?? Dolgopolov spoiled that matchup by taking out Rafael Nadal in the 3rd round and then followed that with a convincing victory over Fabio Fognini yesterday 2 & 4.

Milos comes in fresh off an ankle injury but has a new level of confidence having knocked off Andy Murray after dropping the first set in yesterdays opening match. Milos who leads the tournament with aces was consistently hitting first serves over 140mph. This could prove to be the difference in today's match.

I have to give the nod and straight set victory to Rionic today. His game is too big for Dolgo to handle...I also said that when he played Nadal.  This will be a positive tournament for both players win or lose both having beaten a top ten player.

In the night match Roger Federer will take on another big server in Kevin Anderson. Anderson who spoiled the Swiss party by defeating Stan Wawrinka in 3 sets yesterday. Roger has only faced Anderson one previous time having won that match 6-4 6-4 in the 2013 Paris Masters.

Federer is in full flight going into today's match. With a 17-2 record in 2014 the rumblings of another major could be in the stars as he continues to improve his game after the racket change he adopted late last year. Going to a 98 sq inch head size has given Federer easy power and has moved him closer into the court during baseline rallies. Having played 32% of his shots inside the baseline in 2014 Australian Open. This is an improvement from 28% in the prior year.

Anderson is on a run of his own having reached the finals of his prior 2 tournaments. With hs big win over #5 Stan Wawrinka he sent a message to the other players that he is not just a big serve but a real force to recon with.  The 6'8" South African will look to serve big and shorten the points today against Federer but at the end Roger's experience and game will prove too strong for Anderson.