By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Alexander Zverev [6]
- Iga Swiatek [1] v Caroline Wozniacki [WC]
- Jannik Sinner [3] v Jiri Lehecka [32]
- Maria Sakkari [9] v Emma Navarro [23]
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Carlos Alcaraz is looking to overturn his poor head-to-head record against Alexander Zverev when the two players meet in the quarter-finals of Indian Wells.
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Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Alexander Zverev [6] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Alexander Zverev [6] | H2H: Zverev leads 5-3 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $185,000 |
| Third on Stadium One (Not before 22:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After a tough start to the season, Carlos Alcaraz may have found his form at the right time as he is into his second quarter-final of the season. Since losing the opening set against Matteo Arnaldi, Alcaraz has been on top form dispatching Felix Auger-Aliassime and Fabian Maroszan comfortably. Now the defending champion will aim to continue his good run in California as he bids to win his first trophy since claiming his second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon last July.
The last time Alcaraz was in a quarter-final, the Spaniard lost to Alexander Zverev who the Spaniard meets in the last eight in California. The German has had a dip in form since reaching the Australian Open semi-finals but like all world-class players Zverev has regained the momentum in recent weeks. The world number six will now look to continue his impressive record against Alcaraz in big events as he searches for a sixth Masters 1000 title.
Alcaraz will look to be aggressive from the baseline especially with the forehand as he aims to force Zverev behind the baseline which will set up the drop-shot for the Spaniard to implement. Meanwhile the German will look to serve consistently well, using depth on the forehand to set up the aggressive backhand shots. Although Alcaraz has a poor record against the German, the Spaniard is well suited to the conditions this week and starts as slight favourite.
Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets.
Iga Swiatek [1] v Caroline Wozniacki [WC] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Iga Swiatek [1] v Caroline Wozniacki [WC] | H2H: Swiatek leads 1-0 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $185,000 |
| Second on Stadium One (19:30 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Any questions over Iga Swiatek’s form have firmly been answered by the world number one this week with the Pole only dropping ten games on her way to the last eight. The former champion has displayed power, resilience and variety as she has dismissed the opposition with authority, showing why she is the best player in the world. Now with Aryna Sabalenka out of the tournament, Swiatek will aim to capitalize on a big opportunity as she looks for a second title this season.
Standing in Swiatek’s way is another former champion in the form of Caroline Wozniacki. The Dane has been in clinical form this week and dispatched Angelique Kerber with ease on her way to a quarter-final showdown with Swiatek. Wozniacki’s movement and counter-attacking qualities have shown why she is one of the most consistently dangerous players on the tour on her day. Now Wozniacki will look to secure the biggest win of her comeback and show that she can beat the best players in the world at the biggest events in the world.
Swiatek may have to be more patient then usual as she will look to open up the court before finding the right times to be aggressive and overcommit on the forehand. Meanwhile Wozniacki will extend the rallies and look to take advantage of any tactical errors Swiatek makes especially on return. This will be a good test for Swiatek but given her form this week, it looks unlikely that the Pole’s time in California will end now.
Prediction: Swiatek in straight sets.
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Jannik Sinner [3] v Jiri Lehecka [32] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jannik Sinner [3] v Jiri Lehecka [32] | H2H: First Meeting |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $185,000 |
| First on Stadium Two (18:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Not even a red-hot Ben Shelton could take a set away from Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner as the Italian continues play with confidence and freedom. The world number three hasn’t lost since the Nitto ATP Finals and is continuing to improve with each tournament as he looks to become a dominant force this season. Now Sinner will aim to continue his attacking and precise tennis as he searches for a second Masters 1000 title in the space of seven months.
The form of Sinner will be put through a severe test when he takes on Jiri Lehecka. The Czech Republican has had an incredible season having started the year by claiming the title in Adelaide. Since then Lehecka has continued to build momentum and is having an incredible Indian Wells having knocked out Brandon Nakashima, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas on his way to the quarter-finals. The 32nd seed would love nothing more than to complete his stunning week with another victory over a top ten player.
Sinner will aim to use the forehand to neutralize Lehecka’s power as he looks to force Lehecka into defensive positions. Meanwhile the Czech Republican will aim to use his backhand to find the angles as he looks to outmanoeuvre Sinner by using his variety. This match will see two of the best servers this season take on each other as both players will look to be proactive and aggressive. Although Lehecka will test Sinner’s game, it’s hard to predict against Sinner right now given the Italian is struggling to lose sets never mind matches
Prediction: Sinner in three sets.
Maria Sakkari [9] v Emma Navarro [23] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Maria Sakkari [9] v Emma Navarro [23] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $185,000 |
| Fourth on Stadium Two (Not before 01:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Maria Sakkari’s partnership with David Witt couldn’t have started any better so far as the Greek is into the last eight at Indian Wells. It’s been resilient tennis from Sakkari who has a tradition of doing well in California and is continuing to do so with consistent serving. Now Sakkari has a golden opportunity to reach the semi-finals and make a major statement of intent.
Standing in Sakkari’s way is American Emma Navarro who produced the biggest win of her career against Sabalenka. The 23rd seed played high intensity and high risk tennis as Navarro outplayed the Australian Open champion. The American has been in consistently good form this season and is taking advantage of favourable conditions on home soil. Now Navarro will aim to continue her impressive form as she looks for a place in the semi-finals.
Sakkari will look to make this a war of attrition as she aims to use her forehand to dictate play from the baseline. Meanwhile Navarro will aim to return effectively as she looks to continue to play close to the lines and force Sakkari behind the baseline. This will be an interesting contest and a match that will determine how much progress Sakkari has made. The probability of another win for the American looks likely given how much momentum she has gained over the last few weeks and will have nothing to lose heading into this match.
Prediction: Navarro in three sets.
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