The final 16 has been set on the men’s side of the ATP BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells as we approach the business end of the tournament. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. The day’s other four matches are in a separate article. Who’s going to the quarterfinals?
ATP Indian Wells Day 7 Predictions
Matteo Berrettini vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Berrettini has finally made it past the third round in Indian Wells, breaking through the barrier in his fourth appearance here. The 25-year-old impressed by reaching the Australian Open semifinals but hadn’t won back-to-back matches outside of the Slam this season until now. The Italian defeated young talent Holger Rune in three sets before beating 30th seed Lloyd Harris.
Kecmanovic is enjoying a nice season with a 14-5 record this year. The young Serb has good memories from Indian Wells. He reached the quarterfinals here as a lucky loser in 2019, Kecmanovic’s best Masters 1000 result in his career thus far. The 22-year-old has had a tough road here, starting with a three-set win over Liam Broady, saving two match points against Marin Cilic, before taking out Botic Van De Zandschulp. It’s been a good run for Kecmanovic but it likely ends here as Berrettini is just a level above those players.
Predictions: Berrettini in 2
Taylor Fritz vs Alex De Minaur
Head-to-head: De Minaur 4-1 Fritz
Fritz has experienced two very different matches on his road here, allowing only two games to Kamil Majchrzak in his opener before being pushed to a third-set tiebreak by Jaume Munar in the third round. The current American No. 2 is a defending semifinalist here, so the pressure is certainly on.
De Minaur is on a four-match win streak with two wins in the Davis Cup over Hungary, and close straight-set victories over John Millman and Tommy Paul here in Indian Wells. The Australian is dominant in the head-to-head, though Fritz won their most recent meeting at last year’s US Open. I expect a very close match with Fritz pulling through in the end, though De Minaur’s retrieving skills will make the American earn it.
Predictions: Fritz in 3
John Isner vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head-to-head: Isner 2-1 Dimitrov
Isner reaches the Round of 16 of Indian Wells once again, the eighth time he has reached this stage in 14 appearances. The 2012 finalist has 6-6 record on the season, though he did not drop a set in wins over Sam Querrey and Diego Schwartzman on his road here. Dimitrov was given the 33rd seed spot and moved to Novak Djokovic’s second seed place in the draw as the Serb was forced to withdraw. The 30-year-old is a defending semifinalist and his wins so far have been quite straightforward, taking Jordan Thompson and Alexander Bublik.
Expect some long sets in this match. In their previous three meetings, five out of seven sets have gone to a tiebreak. Sort of a coin flip match here but I think Isner will be able to hold his nerve in the ends of the sets and that will be the key to his victory.
Predictions: Isner in 3
Andrey Rublev vs Hubert Hurkacz
Head-to-head: Hurkacz 2-1 Rublev
Rublev has been one of the most in-form players this season, currently with a 16-2 record and in the midst of an eleven-match win streak that includes titles in Marseille and Dubai. It’s the first time the 24-year-old has reached past the third round in his sixth Indian Wells appearance. On current form, he can go a lot deeper. Rublev did not drop a set in wins over Dominik Koepfer and Frances Tiafoe in the previous rounds.
Hurkacz has an impressive stat of his own, never losing before the quarterfinal stage at Indian Wells. The road has been tough for the Pole, though, as he dropped a set to Oscar Otte in his opener and had to save set points against Steve Johnson. While Hurkacz leads the head-to-head, Rublev has the most recent win as he won their clash in the Dubai semifinals last month. That match went to a third-set tiebreak, so we are in for a treat if it is anything to go by. Rublev is the favorite for me as well as one of the favorites for the title, though Hurkacz will be a major test.
Predictions: Rublev in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
