The wonderful Round of 16 bonanza is on the menu at ATP Indian Wells with all eight matches to be played. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will go through to the quarterfinals?
ATP Indian Wells Day 7 Predictions
Taylor Fritz vs Marton Fucsovics
Head-to-head: first meeting
The defending champion is fighting to retain his status as a Top 10 player but after he overcame the challenge of Ben Shelton and quickly dispatched Sebastian Baez, Taylor Fritz could find himself defending his title. After a nice run in Australia that consisted of a Challenger title and a slam third round, Fucsovics failed to find that form throughout February, going 1-4. The 31-year-old has never had a deep run at Indian Wells before but has now defeated JJ Wolf, Alex de Minaur, and Alex Molcan. Fucsovics will push Fritz but I believe the American will advance.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
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Tommy Paul vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Head-to-head: first meeting
Tommy Paul, 14-4 on the season, has successfully followed up his Australian Open semifinal run with an Acapulco final and now could add another big result in Indian Wells. The 25-year-old beat Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets before coming back from a set down against Hubert Hurkacz. Auger-Aliassime has finally made it past the third round in Indian Wells, first defeating Pedro Martinez before overcoming an accidentally self-inflicted cut on his face caused by his racquet and receiving stitches on the court to beat Francisco Cerundolo. This is a pretty even match-up and with the conditions suiting Tommy Paul’s game more, I will go with the American here.
Prediction: Paul in 3
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Jannik Sinner vs Stan Wawrinka
Head-to-head: Sinner 2-2 Wawrinka
Battle of generations here as the 21-year-old Sinner faces Wawrinka two weeks before the Swiss’ 38th birthday. Wawrinka won their first two meetings back in 2019 when Sinner had just turned 18 while the Italian won out in their two most recent meetings including a 6-1 6-3 win in Rotterdam last month. Sinner is currently 14-3 on the season and defeated a pair of Frenchmen, Richard Gasquet and Adrian Mannarino, to reach the fourth round. 2017 finalist Wawrinka fought past Aleksandar Vukic in his opener and beat Miomir Kecmanovic in two tight sets before pulling off the upset over Holger Rune. The former No. 3 has shown some great play this week but I believe his luck will run out against a very solid Sinner.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
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Carlos Alcaraz vs Jack Draper
Head-to-head: Alcaraz 1-0 Draper
After a strong showing at the Gold Swing, Alcaraz has his aim set on defending the semifinal and title combo he scored at Indian Wells and Miami last year. Alcaraz put his right foot forward with a straight-set win over Thanasi Kokkinakis and dealt with a strong first-set challenge from Tallon Griekspoor in a 7-6 6-3 win. Playing his first tournament since the Australian Open, where he suffered cramps in his loss to Rafael Nadal, Draper has notched three impressive wins without dropping a set in Indian Wells. The 21-year-old started by dismantling Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi 6-1 6-1 before taking out his veteran countrymen Dan Evans and Andy Murray in straight sets. The two played an absolute classic at Basel last year going 7-5 in the third and I could see this one being even better.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
