Closing in on another Rafa-Novak clash

Round of sixteen for the men at Indian Wells and for the most part it was seed against seed. Surprisingly, the higher seed was defeated in the early matches with Richard Gasquet surrendering to Marin Cilic in a high standard three setter, Milos Raonic's big serve prevailing over Tomas Berdych's big serve in two tough sets, and the biggest upset of the day - 

David Goffin grabbing only his second win over a top ten player, this one third seed Stan Wawrinka.  It took a tie break in the third set after failing to do it when serving at 5-3 but it happened and now the quarter final will be Cilic v Goffin.

The fine form of Monfils continued as he finished off Murray's conqueror Delbonis, to set up a quarter final against Raonic.

Meanwhile Djokovic dismissed Lopez in straight sets, playing his best tennis of the tournament, and Nadal saved a match point against Zverev, the 18 year old coming back from a 0-6 second set only to miss an easy shot which would have given him an amazing victory.

Djokovic will face Tsonga in the quarters after the French 7th seed breezed past Thiem rather more easily than expected.

Nadal will need to overcome Nishikori if he is to have a chance at avenging the Doha humiliation handed out to him by Djokovic earlier this year.

Nishikori lost the first set to Isner 6-1 but came back to win two tie breaks and just survive.

Serena defeated Simona Halep in one women's quarter final in straight sets and Aga Radwanska did similarly against Petra Kvitova in the other quarter played today.

So no surprises delivered to us on the WTA tour in the top half of the draw.

Serena v Aga in one semi, a replay of their clash in the Aus Open.