Round 2 on the ATP side continues on Day 4 at Indian Wells. With 16 men’s singles matches on the slate, there will be non-stop action of quality tennis in the desert. Andy Murray and Andrey Rublev are some of the bigger names in action on day 4. We preview their matches, and much more.
ATP Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions
Facundo Bagnis vs Lloyd Harris
Head-to-head: First meeting
Facundo Bagnis and Lloyd Harris are two of the more out of form players currently in the Top 100. Bagnis is just 3-7 in his last 10 matches, but did best Henri Laaksonen 6-3, 7-6 in Round 1. Lloyd Harris has played in five matches this season having yet to win one. His current losing streak dating back to last season is 7. With that being said, Harris is still the #30 seed in this tournament and received a bye into Round 2. It is tough to predict how the South African will look on day 4. He will eventually snap out of this funk, and I believe it will happen against Facundo Bagnis. The Agrentine prefers the clay having won just 23.8 percent of his career tour-level hard court matches. Harris should be able to serve his way into Round 3.
Prediction: Harris in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Dominik Koepfer
Head-to-head: Rublev leads 1-0
#7 seed Andrey Rublev is coming off of two ATP 500 victories in Dubai and Marseille. He has won nine matches in a row. Dominik Koepfer won his first match since the Australian Open in Round 1, defeating Benoit Paire in three sets. Koepfer’s current raking of world #51 is 1 off his peak of #50, but Rublev’s phenomenal form and hardcourt prowess will make him very tough to beat. I think he should be able to handle Koepfer in two sets.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Aslan Karatsev vs Steve Johnson
Head-to-head: First meeting
California native Steve Johnson took down Germany’s Daniel Altmaier in a hard fought, two set Round 1 match. That sets up his first ever meeting with #22 seed Aslan Karatsev. Both Johnson and Karatsev have struggled on tour of late. Johnson is 2-4 in hist last six matches; Karatsev is 1-5. Something must give on Day 4 at Indian Wells. Both guys prefer the hardcourt and will look to end points quickly off of serve and forehand combinations. The dry conditions favor the American who grew up in California and is making his 10th appearance at Indian Wells. Karatsev made his first trip to Indian Wells last October, making a Round 4 run. This one should be a battle of a match. I give the slight advantage to the American.
Prediction: Johnson in 3
Andy Murray vs Alexander Bublik
Head-to-head: Murray leads 2-0
Andy Murray and Alexander Bublik square off for the third time looking to advance to Round 3 at Indian Wells. Murray outlasted Taro Daniel 1-6 6-2 6-4 in Round 1. As the #31 seed, Bublik had a Round 1 bye. A 2009 finalist at this event, Andy Murray holds a 27-13 career record at Indian Wells. This will be Alexander Bublik’s first main draw match in the desert. Bublik, who won his first career title a month ago in Montpellier, has been playing some of the best tennis of his young career this season. On the other hand, Andy Murray has not won back to back matches since before the Australian Open. I expect this match to be very tight, similar to Murray’s 7-6 6-4 win over Bublik earlier this year in Rotterdam. I do slightly favor Andy Murray in this Masters 1000 event.
Prediction: Murray in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
