Holger Rune in the final of the 2022 ATP Rolex Paris Masters, France
Holger Rune in the final of the 2022 ATP Rolex Paris Masters, France | (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Tennis | Indian Wells 2024 | Holger Rune and Hubert Hurkacz take on former top ten players in second round action

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Holger Rune [7] v Milos Raonic [PR]
  • Liudmila Samsonova [14] v Naomi Osaka [PR]
  • Hubert Hurkacz [8] v Gael Monfils
INDIAN WELLS, USA – Current top ten players Holger Rune and Hubert Hurkacz will take on former top ten players Milos Raonic and Gael Monfils in Indian Wells as a place in the third round is on the line.

 

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Holger Rune [7] v Milos Raonic [PR]  H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Holger Rune [7] v Milos Raonic [PR] H2H: First Meeting     
Indian Wells 2024 Indian Wells, USA  
Hard (O) Prize Money: $42,000
First on Stadium Two (19:00 GMT) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

It’s been a challenging start to the year for Holger Rune who has endured multiple coaching changes as well as a few injury setbacks. However the Dane returned to his best form in Acapulco, reaching the semi-finals and testing an in-form Casper Ruud. The world number seven will be hoping that is a platform for continued success this season as he looks to establish himself as a consistent top ten player.

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The first challenge for Rune is against a former consistent top ten player and former Indian Wells finalist Milos Raonic. The Canadian returned to the tour last year in the grass court season as he looks to produce one more big run before retirement. So far that hasn’t happened for Raonic as his lack of fitness has been visible with the 33 year-old retiring from his last two tournaments at the Australian Open and Rotterdam. Now Raonic will aim to have one final deep run at a big tournament as he returns to conditions that suit his game well.

Rune will aim to be smart on return as he will use the forehand to dictate play from the baseline and force Raonic into uncomfortable positions in the court. Meanwhile Raonic will aim for consistently big serving as he looks to take advantage of the quick conditions by making several approaches to the net. This will be a good test of Rune’s confidence on return with the Dane’s superior stamina winning this tough battle in three sets.

Prediction: Rune in three sets.  

 

Liudmila Samsonova [14] v Naomi Osaka [PR] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Liudmila Samsonova [14] v Naomi Osaka [PR] H2H: First Meeting    
ATP Indian Wells 2024 Indian Wells, USA  
Hard (O) Prize Money: $42,000
Third on Stadium Two (22:30 GMT)    Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Liudmila Samsonova has had a poor start to the season with the world number 15 lacking consistency and losing some tight matches along the way. However a deep run to the semi-finals in Abu Dhabi should give Samsonova confidence that her best tennis might just be around the corner. After getting to the final at the WTA 1000 in Beijing last year, Samsonova knows that she has the potential to produce big results at big tournaments and will be hoping to continue that trend at Indian Wells.

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However former champion Naomi Osaka is her first opponent with the former Grand Slam champion returning to the tour this year after becoming a mother last year. The 26 year-old has produced encouraging form in her comeback and gained a good win over Caroline Garcia in Doha. Now Osaka will hope that her aggressive play from the baseline will continue as she aims for continued momentum and a return to the world’s top 100.

Samsonova will aim to serve accurately and consistently as she looks to make the points short as she looks to be more efficient on serve. Meanwhile Osaka will aim to use the angles to create space on the court as she aims to turn defence into attack. This will be a good match between two players who could use a big win to kickstart their seasons. Osaka’s recent confidence makes her slight favourite against an out-of-sorts Samsonova.

Prediction: Osaka in three sets.    

 

 

Hubert Hurkacz [8] v Gael Monfils H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Hubert Hurkacz [8] v Gael Monfils   H2H: Tied at 1-1      
Indian Wells 2024 Indian Wells, USA  
Hard (O) Prize Money: $42,000
Fifth on Stadium Three (03:30 GMT) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Hubert Hurkacz has produced consistent performances this season but the Pole will admit that he would like to do better in the bigger moments. The world number eight would have been scarred by the five set defeat to Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and since then has lost crucial tiebreaks and points in big moments. Now Hurkacz will look to improve that part of his game at a tournament he has done well in the past.

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However a big test for Hurkacz awaits in the form of Gael Monfils who has been playing some aggressive tennis recently. After struggling at the start of the season, the 37 year-old has gradually improved his level with a run to the semi-finals in Doha doing his confidence the world of good. Now Monfils will look to continue his consistent serving and aggressive hitting from the baseline as he aims to build momentum heading into the clay court season.

Hurkacz will look to maintain his confidence on serve as he aims to use his backhand to neutralize Monfils’ attacking qualities. Meanwhile Monfils will aim to finish points off at the net and create angles to open up space on the court. This is a match between two athletic players who like to be aggressive and take the match to their opponent. The slight favourite is Hurkacz given how much more reliable he is on serve but don’t be surprised if Monfils has one of his memorable night-time matches to spring a shock in California. One thing is guaranteed though and that’s pure entertainment.

Prediction: Hurkacz in three sets.

 

 

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