Bottom half seeds will open their 2023 ATP BNP Paribas Open campaigns on Friday in Indian Wells, California. There are so many standout matches on the schedule, one of them being the incredible shotmaking clinic that Yibing Wu vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is expected to be. We also predict the rest of the day’s matches, split between three articles. One features Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Jordan Thompson, another headlines Daniil Medvedev vs Brandon Nakashima, and the third features Andrey Rublev vs Jiri Lehecka. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Roberto Bautista Agut vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: Bautista Agut 1-0
Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Emil Ruusuvuori quite handily at the US Open two years ago, but the 34-year-old seems to be starting to decline by now. Even at one of his favorite events in Doha, he wasn’t able to leave struggle town. Does that mean he’ll lose here? Not necessarily as the conditions could help him survive against Ruusuvuori’s power. He’s just unlikely to go on a very deep run in this tournament.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Diego Schwartzman vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: Schwartzman 5-3
Is Diego Schwartzman getting out of his dip in form? Possibly, but it’s still quite early to tell. The last two matches he played were probably his best over the past six months or so. Casper Ruud was actually playing a bit better in Acapulco than people give him credit for. His serving was great and he managed to tune in the forehand against Taro Daniel. It’s a good opportunity for him to grab a much-needed win and get some confidence back.
Prediction: Ruud in 2
Frances Tiafoe vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Tiafoe 2-1
Marcos Giron managed to grind down Aleksandar Kovacevic in Round 1, taking full advantage of the slower conditions. Is this also going to be relevant here or is this where the talent gap between him and the world’s elite comes into play? Probably the latter, but don’t be surprised if the hard-working American manages to do more damage to Frances Tiafoe than he should on paper.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 3
Yibing Wu vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Yibing Wu was in trouble in Round 1 against Jaume Munar, clearly not used to having to play five ridiculous shots to win a point. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, while a better player than the Spaniard he faced on Wednesday, could be a nicer matchup for him. Expect some absurd shotmaking from both sides here. Wu on the main Tour is still in the testing phase, but needless to say, he’s passing everything with flying colors thus far.
Prediction: Wu in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
