Saturday sun is expected at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open, and at the top of the list of stars taking the court, is 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, making his first tour appearance since the Australian Open. LWOT has all the predictions for the weekend matches, with this set of matches featuring Djokovic and World No. 10 Alexander Bublik. Who will advance?
ATP Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions
Ugo Humbert vs Alex Michelsen
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0
Humbert has had the slightly better 2026 season so far, but it’s hard to count out the American Michelsen on home soil. Michelsen is 7-5 on tour this season, and Humbert has an ATP Tour final and semifinal to his name this year. The Frenchman has also played much of his tennis on indoor hard courts. His crafty serve may not be as big a weapon on these slower courts, and Michelsen’s crowd support (and backhand) may allow him to snatch a small upset.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
Valentin Vacherot vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: Vacherot 1-0
This should be a toss-up encounter, with both players looking for a big win in the second round. Borges snapped a tough five-match losing streak Thursday after defeating home favorite Emilio Nava in the first round. Vacherot, meanwhile, will make his Indian Wells debut after jumping out onto the scene winning the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 last year. These types of tournaments bring out the best of Vacherot. His deadly forehand should be able to outhit the slightly out-of-form Portuguese No. 1.
Prediction: Vacherot in 3
Alexander Bublik vs Vit Kopriva
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kopriva made the Indian Wells draw due to a lucky loser spot opening up, and he got a nice win against the rising American Michael Zheng in the first round. On the other side of the net, however, Bublik has been unstoppable for much of 2026. He’s matched his thrilling style of tennis with more consistency, possessing a 12-4 record this year. Additionally, his most recent loss to a player outside the Top 50 was in 2025, as Kopriva may run out of gas against a stronger opponent.
Prediction: Bublik in 2
Novak Djokovic vs Kamil Majchrzak
Head-to-head: First meeting
Djokovic suffered a shocking first round loss at this event in 2025, and he is just 4-5 at the tournament since he lifted the trophy here in 2016. Majchrzak took out the big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 in the first round, and should be confident with not much to lose. Djokovic has had lots of time to refresh and recharge since a big Australian Open final run. He has to be the heavy favorite, despite some woes in the California desert.
Prediction: Djokovic in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
