With top half seeds such as Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, or Holger Rune among the final players to enter the tournament on Day 4, the tournament will be properly underway going into the weekend. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will make it to the last 32 at ATP Indian Wells?
ATP Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions
Jack Sock vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: first meeting
The 2017 Indian Wells semifinalist and former No. 8 Jack Sock is looking to make a push towards returning to the Top 100. The 30-year-old is playing in just his fourth tournament of the season after skipping Australia and looking to get his first back-to-back wins since September. Sock did look good in his 6-4 6-2 win over Gregoire Barrere though so he seems to have shaken the poor form he showed in February. Cerundolo has to try and bank points as he has to defend Miami semifinals this month. The Argentine’s Gold Swing showing was somewhat disappointing, reaching just one quarterfinal in four events. The slower conditions should suit the clay courter but I see this as a great opportunity for Sock to get some form going.
Prediction: Sock in 2
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Rinky Hijikata vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: first meeting
After becoming a doubles grand slam champion alongside Jason Kubler at the Australian Open, Rinky Hijikata followed up with another doubles final in Delray Beach and a singles Challenger title in Burnie. The Australian’s form dropped off as of late though, going on a three-loss streak against No. 271 Evan Zhu, No. 458 Nathan Ponwith, and No. 274 Shintaro Mochizuki. Hijikata changed his fortunes in the desert, qualifying past Felipe Meligeni Alves and Tennys Sandgren before upsetting Mikael Ymer in the main draw. After going 0-3 in January, Baez got his second ATP title in Cordoba. The Argentine also performed decently well for the rest of the swing, reaching the quarterfinals in Rio and semifinals in Santiago. Baez has yet to unlock his game on hard court, 6-15 on the surface over the past two seasons. This is a great chance for Hijikata to make a run and push towards the Top 100 but Baez will make him fight for it.
Prediction: Hijikata in 3
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Adrian Mannarino vs Lorenzo Musetti
Head-to-head: first meeting
Mannarino broke a three-match losing streak in the first round, outlasting the struggling Dominic Thiem in a third-set tiebreak. The Frenchman gets another nice break with his next opponent and could reach the third round in Indian Wells for the first time since 2018. Musetti’s official 5-5 record in far too kind to him. The Italian banked four wins over opponents outside the Top 150 to start the year as his country’s No. 2 player at the United Cup. Since then, Musetti is 1-4 and currently on a three-loss streak that he has dragged across the Gold Swing. Mannarino is far from a lock to win this match but I am picking him after his last performance.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Head-to-head: first meeting
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz returns to where his season really took off last year. The Spaniard had already won Rio last year before reaching the semifinals in Indian Wells but Alcaraz’s run showed that he can translate his game to hard courts on the very highest level. He would confirm that statement with a Miami title and the rest is history. Alcaraz was forced to skip the ATP Finals at the end of last year and the Australian Open to start 2023 but came back strong with a Buenos Aires title and Rio final. Kokkinakis has returned to the Top 100 after a brief departure, winning a Challenger 125 in Manama. The Australian looks in good form so far in Indian Wells, not dropping a set against Yuichi Sugita, Matteo Arnaldi, and Brandon Holt. I think Kokkinakis will bring enough juice to this match to make it entertaining but I don’t see Alcaraz losing here.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
