The top-seed players take the court on day 3 at ATP Indian Wells as the California desert heats up with some terrific matches on the slate. No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz gets his Indian Wells campaign underway against budding star Matteo Arnaldi. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings around the grounds of the desert. In three separate articles, we have match predictions featuring Andrey Rublev vs Andy Murray, Jannik Sinner vs Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Constant Lestienne. Who do you think will advance?
ATP Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Tallon Griekspoor vs Yannick Hanfmann
Head-to-Head: Griekspoor 0-2 Hanfmann
Tallon Griekspoor has played solid tennis over the last six weeks. He holds an 8-3 record over that span and reached the semis in Rotterdam. On the other hand, Hanfmann has won back-to-back matches just once since mid-October. Hanfmann’s serve should keep him in this match, but Griekspoor is too solid from the ground to drop this match.
Prediction: Griekspoor in 3
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Frances Tiafoe vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-Head: Tiafoe 4-1 Lajovic
Frances Tiafoe has not had the best start to the 2024 season. He is just 6-6 on the season and has won back-to-back matches once. That said, he tends to play his best tennis on the biggest stages and will be looking to put on a show for the Indian Wells crowd. Dusan Lajovic reached two quarterfinals in the Golden Triangle swing and should be helped by the slow deserts courts, but I do not believe he has the firepower to match the American. If Tiafoe drops this match, it will be completely on his racquet.
Prediction: Tiafoe in 2
Alex de Minaur vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-Head: de Minaur 3-0 Daniel
Alex de Minaur has been the hottest player on the ATP Tour this season outside of Jannik Sinner. He is 15-5 this season, with a runner-up finish in Rotterdam and a title in Acapulco. Taro Daniel is 2-6 in his last eight matches. De Minaur has dropped no more than two games in all seven sets he has played against Daniel. I expect another domination from the Aussie.
Prediction: de Minaur in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Matteo Arnaldi
Head-to-Head: Alcaraz 1-0 Arnaldi
Carlos Alcaraz opens his ATP Indian Wells campaign coming off back-to-back losses, though, the latter was a retirement in Rio. He is the reigning champ in the desert and will be looking for a strong showing to kick his 2024 season into gear. 23-year-old Italian Matteo Arnaldi has risen inside the world’s top 40 and finally seems to be putting together a complete game. Arnaldi will battle from the baseline, and the slow desert courts should create some terrific rallies between these two. In the end, Alcaraz’s power and ability to finish points will be the difference.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
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Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
