Despite only being the Round of 16, the eighth day at the ATP Indian Wells Masters promises some scintillating matchups. Holger Rune, Casper Ruud and Daniil Medvedev are all in action along with plenty of other talented players. As always, we’re here at LWOT to make our best attempt at predicting their outcomes.
ATP Indian Wells Day 8 Predictions
Holger Rune vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: Fritz 1-0 Rune
Holger Rune on a slow court is a beast. The conditions fall right into his lethal blend of consistency and sharp injections of pace. Granted, Taylor Fritz may have won here in 2021 but he relies on his serve a little more than the Dane does. We think Rune’s going to be comfortable enough to take this in two close sets.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Casper Ruud vs Gael Monfils
Head-to-head: Monfils 1-0 Ruud
Is 2024 the year of La Monf? The 37-year-old is making some big moves on the tour this season and won’t be perturbed by the challenge Casper Ruud presents. He’s been willing to use his fitness and stay patient to find a way passed his previous two opponents. Fatigue has always been an issue for the Frenchman at the latter stages of tournaments, however. The speed of the courts will likely fall in the favour of the fresher of the two players, even if Casper Ruud doesn’t have the same air about him as he did in 2022. Many will be willing Monfils through but Ruud seems the safer bet.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Tommy Paul vs Luca Nardi
Head-to-head: First meeting
Luca Nardi did extremely well to defeat Novak Djokovic, even if the World #1 admitted to playing far below his best. The Italian is full of talent and has a peak that can match anyone in the world. Tommy Paul is a crafty player, however, and should know how to work these courts. Despite the upset Nardi caused, he’s ultimately unlikely to find a way through Paul’s web.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head-to-head: Medvedev 6-3 Dimitrov
Much to every tennis fan’s pleasure, Grigor Dimitrov’s 2024 continues to be fruitful. The Bulgarian is balancing aggression with patience sublimely, showing his full repertoire on the slower hard courts of Indian Wells. Dimitrov defeated Daniil Medvedev in similar conditions in Paris. He even won against him here in Indian Wells three years ago. Can he pull it off again using a plethora of wicked slices? In this form, we don’t see why not.
Prediction: Dimitrov in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
