A number of competitive matchups will take place on day 1 of the ATP Indian Wells main draw including Americans Maxime Cressy and Christopher Eubanks facing off. We have predictions for every first round match from the California desert.
Fabio Fognini vs Pablo Andujar
Andujar’s only win in this veteran matchup came on clay, he’s outmatched most of the time on hard courts and Fognini was respectable during the South American clay court swing in recent weeks reaching the semis in Rio. Andujar has won less than a third of his tour level matches on clay in his career, Fognini should get off to a winning start against a player he knows well and has a great h2h against (4-1). Fognini in 2
Maxime Cressy vs Christopher Eubanks
Eubanks qualified for Indian Wells and Doha, he’s just 5-19 at the ATP Tour level in his career but he’s been better on the ATP Challenger Tour. Cressy enters this matchup on a three match losing streak, the serve and volleyer can be dangerous on hard courts but he’s a bit out of form. Still, he’s a more accomplished ATP level player and should find a way to win this. Cressy in 3
Alexei Popyrin vs Tomas Machac
Popyrin received direct entry here but he has just two wins this season after a record 22 last season. He’s viable on hard courts, while Machac is looking to rise up from the ATP Challenger Tour. Machac is 9-6 this season across the main and Challenger tours and is showing signs of improvement. Popyrin could wake up and play well, but Machac looks like the favorite if he’s not overly fatigued from qualifying. Machac in 2
Pedro Martinez vs Joao Sousa
Sousa won their only meeting, which came on clay, Martinez won ATP Santiago and is at a career high ranking in the top 50. It’s March and he’s already halfway to his highest ever ATP Tour level win count. He’s playing well, the trouble is he much prefers playing on clay. Sousa lost to Eubanks in the final round of qualifying but enters this draw as a lucky loser. He won the ATP Pune hard court title a few weeks ago and on this surface has a real shot at an upset. Sousa in 3
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