By Tony Fairbairn
- Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Felix Auger-Aliassime [31]
- Iga Swiatek [1] v Linda Noskova [26]
- Stefanos Tsitsipas [11] v Frances Tiafoe [18]
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Carlos Alcaraz’s Indian Wells title defence will go through a severe test when the Spaniard takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the fourth round.
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Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Felix Auger-Aliassime [31] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Felix Auger-Aliassime [31] | H2H: Auger-Aliassime leads 3-1 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $59,100 |
| Second on Stadium One (Not before 20:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Carlos Alcaraz had injury doubts heading into his Indian Wells title defence but the Spaniard brushed those doubts aside with a comprehensive three set win over Matteo Arnaldi. The Spaniard only dropped one game in the last two sets as he moved into the third round with ease. All the talk currently is about Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic but Alcaraz will be hoping to play his best tennis under the radar as he aims to win his first title since Wimbledon.
A big test awaits Alcaraz in the third round as he takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in the last 16. After a good end to last season, the Canadian has failed to capitalize on the momentum created as he has only won back-to-back matches at two of six events so far this season. The 23 year-old has become too predictable with his play and will hope that he can change that ahead of the clay court season as he looks to avoid a drop in the rankings.
Alcaraz will look to make the Canadian run as he aims to dictate play on the forehand and use drop-shots to move Auger-Aliassime away from the baseline. Meanwhile the Canadian will look to dominate on serve, using the backhand to finish points off efficiently. Although Auger-Aliassime has won three of the four meetings, Alcaraz won their meeting at Indian Wells last year and the same result should be expected here even if the conditions this year suit the Canadian more.
Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets.
Iga Swiatek [1] v Linda Noskova [26] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Iga Swiatek [1] v Linda Noskova [26] | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $59,100 |
| First on Stadium One (18:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
After disappointment in Dubai, Iga Swiatek got back on track with a crushing victory over Danielle Collins in her opening round match. The world number one was clinical and aggressive as she sent a massive statement to the rest of the field on her mission to re-establish her dominance on the tour. Now the Pole will look to gain her second title of the season in California and build momentum heading into the clay court season.
Revenge will be on the mind of Swiatek in the next round as she plays Linda Noskova, who beat Swiatek at the Australian Open in January. The Czech Republican proved she is a big talent for the future after reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne with Noskova backing up her run with a victory over Maria Sakkari in Doha. Now Noskova will search for consistency as her fearless hitting looks to cause more damage on the tour over the next few months.
Swiatek will aim to serve aggressively and consistently as she looks to neutralize the returning qualities of Noskova. The Czech Republican will need to get the first strike in the rallies like she did in Melbourne if she wants to win this match as she looks to take time away from Swiatek. Although Noskova is more than capable of another big win, Swiatek’s improved aggression especially on faster surfaces gives her a big advantage on these fast Indian Wells courts.
Prediction: Swiatek in three sets.
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Stefanos Tsitsipas [11] v Frances Tiafoe [18] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Stefanos Tsitsipas [11] v Frances Tiafoe [18] | H2H: Tiafoe leads 3-2 |
| Indian Wells 2024 | Indian Wells, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $59,100 |
| First on Stadium Two (18:00 GMT) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Stefanos Tsitsipas’s form continues to disappoint as the Greek continues to lose the big matches as his latest defeat against Alex De Minaur in Acapulco highlighted how low on confidence Tsitsipas is. However circumstances can change in a week and Tsitsipas will hope that Indian Wells is the tournament where his form, confidence and performances can turn around.
Another big match awaits Tsitsipas as he takes on Frances Tiafoe who is also low on confidence. Heading into this season, the American was hopeful that this season will see a more consistent and composed version of himself but that is yet to materialize. Only one tournament this season where Tiafoe has won back-to-back matches and now the 18th seed will hope to turn his form around on home soil as he looks to rediscover his swagger and motivation.
Tsitsipas will look for depth and angles to force Tiafoe into uncomfortable positions in the court as he aims to finish points off at the net. Meanwhile the American will hope to dictate play on his serve as he looks to extract errors from Tsitsipas’ erratic game. This is a match between two players who desperately need a win with the conditions suiting Tiafoe’s game more than Tsitsipas.
Prediction: Tiafoe in three sets.
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