One of the tournaments of the year continues in ‘tennis paradise’ on Saturday. The men enter day three of their tournament and with it comes some exciting tennis. Headlining this set of predictions is current Grand Slam record holder Rafael Nadal. As ever, we take a look at how those involved in the day’s action should fair in our ATP Indian Wells day 3 predictions.
ATP Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Federico Coria vs Daniel Evans
Evans is the better player here, although the slower courts at Indian Wells don’t help his game. Coria has enjoyed a solid rise up the men’s rankings in recent months and should be taken seriously in this contest and this tournament. However, the Brit has made a name for himself by taking care of business in matches he should win. Only the very best in the men’s game are favoured to best him now and that remains the case here. The conditions might make this a three set affair, but it will be an affair Evans wins in the end.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Benjamin Bonzi vs Lorenzo Sonego
These two have no previous but are both young players who have been on a sharp rise over the last twelve months. Sonego is the more accomplished player and is also far more adept on slower surfaces than Bonzi is. The Frenchman has been dangerous in recent months, but is yet to prove he has what it takes to do it in the biggest tournaments. Sonego has been out of sorts of late but I expect the Italian to right ship eventually and this match is a perfect opportunity to start doing exactly that.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Fabio Fognini vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Think what you will of Basilashvili and his off-court issues, but the Georgian has become an elite player in the men’s game. Interestingly, he has a losing record in singles over the course of his career but has three ATP 500 titles to his name. Fognini is also well decorated despite being wildly inconsistent throughout his career. That being said, Basilashvili is in the better form by a long way and will look to pressure Fognini’s serve at every opportunity. That should prove enough to see him over the line here.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 2
Rafael Nadal vs Sebastian Korda
Sorry Korda, but you don’t pick against the ‘Big 3’ when they’re in form and Nadal is red hot. He is fresh of a 21st Grand Slam in Melbourne. The Spaniard will be looking to follow that up with another title here in Indian Wells. The list of players who can stop him is very short. In fact, it was recently made shorter still by the withdrawal of Novak Djokovic. Unfortunately for Korda, he is not on that list. The young American is talented and may well become an elite talent one day. However, he is not there yet and I can’t see him upsetting Nadal here.
Prediction: Nadal in 2
Main Photo from Getty Images
