Indian Wells ATP 1000 – 9th day
Fritz T. – Rune H
Both players, after a brief period of mental disengagement and fluctuating performances, are now operating at their peak. Each boasts a strong service and powerful baseline shots, with Rune preferring to play more aggressively and finish points at the net compared to his opponent. The match is expected to be closely contested, but Rune's mental resilience raises some concerns. He has shown moments of significant detachment, as seen in the match against Musetti, which could be costly against a player like Fritz.
Medvedev D. – Dimitrov G.
Medvedev won in three sets against Korda, who is known to struggle with the Russian's playstyle. Despite Medvedev's recent errors, Korda managed to break him once. Dimitrov appears to have returned to his prime form, showcasing exceptional physical fitness and even greater confidence in his shots. His aggressive play often troubles Medvedev, who was defeated by the Bulgarian on this court three years ago—a surface that Medvedev does not particularly favor. If history were to repeat itself? The match is expected to be highly contested, especially from the third set onwards, with attention to the condition of the court and the wind, which could favor the Bulgarian.
Nardi L. – Paul T.
Nardi is coming off a miraculous win against Djokovic. Drafted as a lucky loser, he managed to capitalize on the opportunities given by the world number 1 (who was unrecognizable) and handled the match moments very well. On the other hand, Paul comes from a significant and convincing victory against Humbert and will not want to miss this opportunity. Additionally, the American's confidence on this court and the home advantage should be considered. Moreover, Nardi has spent a considerable amount of time on the court, and his energy-intensive playstyle combined with the exhilaration from this feat might have added some extra pressure. Despite everything, this match is much more difficult to predict than it seems.
Rudd C. – Monfils G.
Rudd has finally returned to the level that allowed him to reach Grand Slam finals and win numerous titles. His well-crafted service and forehand from inside the court are his trademarks. Monfils, after a stunning victory against Hurkacz, repeated his success against Norrie. The turning point of this match, regardless of the players' characteristics, will be Monfils' freshness coming off two consecutive marathons. Even though he thrives in battles, ultimately, the physical toll accumulates. Moreover, yesterday Monfils gave away 20 break points, which against a player like Rudd could prove costly.