Alexander Zverev, the No. 1 seed at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open, lost on Friday, and all eyes will now turn to top players such as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic to see if they can avoid the same fate in their opening matches. LWOT predicts all of Saturday’s matches in the Californian desert, as this set of predictions features Novak Djokovic squaring off against Botic van de Zandschulp. But who will advance at ATP Indian Wells?
ATP Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions
Brandon Nakashima vs Rinky Hijikata
Head-to-head: Nakashima 2-1
Nakashima should take in a lot of confidence being the seeded player in this matchup. The American is coming off strong performances in Acupulco and Delray Beach, and he should be able to play consistent tennis and break down Hijikata’s aggressive game. Hijikata, meanwhile, did defeat Nakashima in their most recent meeting in Adelaide, 6-2 3-6 7-6 (5). The Aussie will have to block out the partisan crowd to have a shot to win.
Prediction: Nakashima in 2
Hubert Hurkacz vs Hugo Gaston
Head-to-head: First meeting
This matchup should largely favor Hurkacz, who has the stronger serve and can control the points with his topspin. Gaston should have a lot of firepower coming off a first-round win — all while hitting one of the shots of the tournament thus far — but the Pole should be able to move through to the third round if he stays strong on his service games.
Prediction: Hurkacz in 2
Alejandro Tabilo vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-head: Lajovic 1-0
It’s been a tough run of form for Tabilo, who started the year by failing to defend his title in Auckland and now enters this tournament on a seven-match losing streak. Tabilo will just hang on to a seed at this event, but he’ll have to start pulling together results to stay in the Top 30. Lajovic won the pair’s only match in 2024, winning in three sets; his one-handed backhand and win under his belt in California may make him the slight favorite. The Serb also won his opening match 6-2 6-0, and he’ll be confident going into this match.
Prediction: Lajovic in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Botic Van de Zandschulp
Head-to-head: Djokovic 1-0
It’s been a difficult 2025 season for Djokovic’s mighty standards, and he lost early at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open — falling to Luca Nardi in the third round — as he’ll look to avoid a similar fate this year. Van de Zandschulp played consistent tennis to wear down the injured Nick Kyrgios in the first round. Meanwhile, Djokovic won the pair’s only meeting in 2022, only dropping four games. If Djokovic can avoid a sluggish start, he should be able to reach the third round.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
