With only four of 32 seeds failing to make it through to the ATP Indian Wells Masters third round, there have been very few upsets so far in Palm Springs. Will there be any on the cards as we go into the sixth day of the first ATP Masters tournament of the year? We think there could be a few…
ATP Indian Wells Day 6 Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Paul 2-0 Humbert
Very few players beat Ugo Humbert by outhitting him. His shots are fast, flat and intimidating if the person on the other side of the net doesn’t know how to handle them.
Fortunately, Tommy Paul is an intelligent player. He’ll know how to use the court speed to his advantage in this match-up and won’t mind playing patient on both wings to gain an opening. Even with the Frenchman’s form, we think Paul will just be too crafty in these conditions.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Casper Ruud vs Arthur Fils
Head-to-head: Fils 1-0 Ruud
Give Arthur Fils some time on the forehand at your peril. Indian Wells will feel great for Fils, granting him time to wind up but rewarding him for taking on a huge strike.
Casper Ruud is in a similar position to Fuls but we’re not convinced his shots possess quite as much bite as the Frenchman. Fils is a youngster looking to prove a point–we think he’ll come out hot.
Prediction: Fils in 3
Lorenzo Musetti vs Holger Rune
Head-to-head: Rune 1-0 Musetti
Lorenzo Musetti still hasn’t hit his stride on a hard court. He’s improved his serves for sure but his inability to reliably get into return games leaves him exposed against some of the best players in the world.
Holger Rune comes under that category. We trust him to put Musetti under constant pressure on this surface with clinical serving and flatter hitting than the Italian.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Daniil Medvedev vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-head: Korda 2-1 Medvedev
It’s hard to know what you’ll get with Sebi Korda. He’s a big hitter and a steady returner, capable of playing flat booming strokes that can cause damage in any conditions.
Still, this match up isn’t particularly great for the American when the conditions are slowed down. Korda hit his way through Daniil Medvedev when he beat him in Australia and Shanghai in lightning quick conditions last year but, at Indian Wells, patience is a virtue. Despite Medvedev’s insistence these courts are clay, he’ll be quite happy to keep the rally extended against a player that could be prone to overheating.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
