Gael Monfils is a two-time quarterfinalist of the ATP BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, reaching that stage back in 2016 and 2019. Now 37 years old, can the Frenchman produce another strong run? To do that, he’ll need to survive a tricky challenge in the opening round with the slice specialist Max Purcell. In three separate articles, we have predictions featuring Rafael Nadal vs. Milos Raonic, Stan Wawrinka vs. Tomas Machac, and Denis Shapovalov vs. Botic van de Zandschulp. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Indian Wells Day 2 Predictions
Roman Safiullin vs Daniel Evans
Head-to-head: Evans 2-1
Daniel Evans recently took down Roman Safiullin in the first round at Los Cabos, where the conditions aren’t too dissimilar with the ball traveling pretty quickly through the air but bouncing off a very slow court. The Brit was able to use his slice effectively there and neutralize the opponent’s weaponry. While Safiullin has generally been the stronger player over the past few months, Evans might have a shot to execute the same gameplan again.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Aleksandar Kovacevic vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-head: First meeting
This should be a pretty exciting match. Aleksandar Kovacevic qualified for both Los Cabos and Acapulco, only losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas and Holger Rune. Meanwhile, Zhizhen Zhang remains the power-hitting machine that’s very capable of pushing anyone on a good day. The conditions seem to favor the Chinese more as he has the strength to hit through any court on the planet. Kovacevic will need his backhand return to be on point and diffuse the power with his slice effectively.
Prediction: Zhang in 3
Pavel Kotov vs Alejandro Tabilo
Head-to-head: Tabilo 1-0
It’s going to be a fairly quick turnaround from the Golden Swing for Alejandro Tabilo, who has just entered the Top 40 for the very first time. He was one of the best performers in Indian Wells last year, qualifying and making the second round. Seems like he really enjoys these slower, higher-bouncing hard courts and in fact he also had a nice run back in 2021. Pavel Kotov has a very healthy chance of winning this match, but the conditions don’t suit him quite as much.
Prediction: Tabilo in 3
Gael Monfils vs Max Purcell
Head-to-head: Purcell 1-0
The first few matches for Gael Monfils this year were looking pretty rough as he seemed to be declining physically at a rapid pace, but it seems that the Frenchman still has some great performances left in him now. Matchups with Max Purcell are always quite tricky with the Australian being such a unique big serve/disruptor. Monfils lost to him already on grass three years ago and might be vulnerable to that sort of playstyle, but should be considered the favorite on the courts in Indian Wells.
Prediction: Monfils in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
