Day 4 at Indian Wells features the second group of Round 2 matches on the ATP side. Americans Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz will take the court in the desert as well as Alexander Zverev. It will be Zverev’s first singles match since his outburst in Acapulco. We have all the previews for you here at LWOT. Let’s get into it.
ATP Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions
Kamil Majchrzak vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: First meeting
After making the second week for the first time at a major during the 2022 Australian Open, American Taylor Fritz has had two quick exits in Dallas and Acapulco. He will look to get back on track here at Indian Wells where he made a semifinal run last October. His opponent, Kamil Majchrzak of Poland, currently holds his career high ranking of #75. Majchrzak started the year ranked #117 in the world but has since won 8 of the 11 matches he has played. These two have never squared off before. Though Majchrzak is playing some inspiring tennis, he has never defeated a player ranked in the top-40. Current world #20 Taylor Fritz should have no problem handling business in his home state of California.
Predictions: Fritz in 2
Jordan Thompson vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head-to-head: Thompson leads 1-0
Grigor Dimitrov, the “#33” seed in the tournament, took Novak Djokovic’s place in the draw. Grigor is certainly no pushover, but Australian Jordan Thompson has to be thrilled having avoided Djokovic in round 2 at Indian Wells. Thompson bested David Goffin in a 2 hour and 44 minute round 1 battle. Thompson won the only meeting between he and Dimitrov, 7-5, 7-5 in Miami in 2019. Neither player has had a great start to the 2022 season and are looking to turn around their fortunes at a big event such as Indian Wells. I favor Dimitrov, who should have the crowd on his side in the desert.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 3
Diego Schwartzman vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: First meeting
Diego Schwartzman and Emil Ruusuvuori will square off for the first time in round 2 at Indian Wells. Ruusuvuori beat Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-3 in round 1. Schwartzman, the #14 seed, received a round 1 bye. Diego had a very solid South American clay-court circuit making two finals and a semi. He has won 9 of his last 12 matches. Ruusuvuori is also in solid form having reached the final in Pune in early February. Believe it or not, Emil Ruusuvuori actually has a better winning-percentage at the tour-level on the hard court. This match will be an under the radar battle in day 4. I like the veteran presence of Schwartzman to win out in the end.
Prediction: Schwartzman in 3
Alexander Zverev vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-head: Paul leads 1-0
The tennis spotlight has once again been on Alexander Zverev for something other than his play. Zverev will look to move past his blowup in Acapulco and back up his quarterfinal run in the 2021 edition of Indian Wells. His opponent, American Tommy Paul, despatched qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4, 6-4 in round 1. Dating back to late last season, Paul is playing some of the best tennis of his young career. He holds a 19-6 record since November of 2021. Paul won the only previous meeting between the two 6-3, 6-4 in Acapulco in 2020. This battle has a chance to be the best match of the day. It is hard to ignore the American’s form, but the #3 ranked player in the world will be playing with something to prove. I like Alexander Zverev to advance in a very tight two sets.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
