Andy Murray and David Goffin met seven times between 2014 and 2022, with the former World No. 1 winning all their matches. Now in 2024 they’re both certainly not near the top of their abilities but having qualified for ATP Indian Wells, maybe the Belgian can actually have his best shot to post a win against Murray? Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Indian Wells Day 1 Predictions
Marcos Giron vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Head-to-head: First meeting
Marcos Giron was one of the in-form players of February, making the final in Dallas and the last four in Delray Beach. Things kind of came to an abrupt end at the hands of Casper Ruud in Los Cabos, as he only took one game, but it was still a great patch of play. The Indian Wells courts don’t suit him too much, and while Thanasi Kokkinakis isn’t exactly as good as Ruud, he’s got a similarly spinny forehand. If he plays with good composure, he can take the baseline patterns out of Giron’s comfort zone in these conditions.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 3
Fabian Marozsan vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-head: First meeting
Alexei Popyrin has been quietly enjoying a very solid season. He’s only played three events but avoided any bad losses and recently made the Doha semifinals. The form edge is on his side here, with Fabian Marozsan being a bit out of sorts the past couple of months. It will be interesting to see how the Hungarian performs in his Indian Wells debut though and this might be a court where he’ll have plenty of space to throw in the trademark dropshot. Popyrin is the favorite, though.
Prediction: Popyrin in 3
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: Daniel 1-0
Taro Daniel posted some of the best wins of his career in Indian Wells, highlighted by beating Novak Djokovic in 2018. Now he’ll need to break a four-match losing streak to progress here, but his recent performances felt like him getting outplayed by stronger opposition rather than dropping his form that much. The draw is somewhat kind to him here as Daniel Elahi Galan is on a poor run himself and didn’t manage to get anything exciting going during the Golden Swing.
Prediction: Daniel in 2
Andy Murray vs David Goffin
Head-to-head: Murray 7-0
The two veterans are definitely not at their peaks right now, but they still have flashes of that quality. Perhaps especially David Goffin, who kinda randomly turns it on for a set or two, usually not being able to sustain it though. Andy Murray managed to get his first wins of the season in Doha and Dubai, but things are becoming more and more of a struggle for him on tour. This could be an opportunity for Goffin to pick up a win against an opponent he didn’t enjoy facing back in the day.
Prediction: Goffin in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
