Carlos Alcaraz kicked off his ATP Indian Wells title defense with a three-set win over Matteo Arnaldi. His next opponent is Felix Auger-Aliassime, whom he trails 1-3 in the head-to-head. Is it a tricky matchup, and is it only a matter of time before his record against the Canadian improves? Who do you think will prevail?
ATP Indian Wells Day 5 Predictions
Fabian Marozsan vs Thiago Seyboth Wild
Head-to-head: First meeting
The clay-ish hard courts in Indian Wells are an awesome profile for both players. Thiago Seyboth Wild has been utilizing that all week, as he’s just exploding into that big forehand and blowing away all his opposition. Fabian Marzosan has brought back the trademark drop shot and posted a solid result in what’s been a shaky season so far. Seyboth Wild is generally the less reliable player of the two, but this week he’s peaking and will have his chances if he keeps it up.
Prediction: Seyboth Wild in 3
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: Tsitsipas 4-3
Stefanos Tsitsipas has been off his game for a while now, but so has Frances Tiafoe. They still aren’t losing in the opening rounds, usually, but it’s just been a while since we’ve seen them at their very best. This event feels like a decent opportunity for both to get some rhythm going. Tiafoe was in the semifinals here last year, while Tsitsipas has actually been somewhat underwhelming at Indian Wells over the years. He still seems like the favorite quality-wise, though. Form isn’t amazing, but he hasn’t looked as powerless as Tiafoe in his Dallas/Delray Beach losses.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Rublev 2-1
They met in the ATP Indian Wells second round last year, and are now taking the court again one step further into the event. Jiri Lehecka was recently struggling with a shoulder injury in Dubai, but it seems that everything is fine now after he defeated Brandon Nakashima. The conditions probably don’t give him a great shot at upsetting Andrey Rublev, though, neutralizing his offense and first serve. The Russian is rarely vulnerable to upsets, too, with a very high base level.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: Auger-Aliassime 3-1
It’s rare for Carlos Alcaraz to trail someone 1-3 in the head-to-head, but his history with Felix Auger-Aliassime is a little more complicated than that. The 2021 US Open quarterfinal was a win via retirement, and the Canadian got him twice indoors, including one match on a very fast court. When they played last year in Indian Wells, it was fairly competitive, but Alcaraz showed he doesn’t have any matchup issues here. Auger-Aliassime’s form doesn’t suggest he’ll be too dangerous in this bout, either.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
