Photograph credit score – Dallas Open on the Frisco Star
The primary spherical in Indian Wells continues on Thursday with Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina taking over Mackenzie McDonald and French veteran Gael Monfils battleing Jan-Lennard Struff.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs. (WC) Mackenzie McDonald
There’s a brand new exhausting courtroom in Indian Wells. The earlier floor was Plexipave, a gradual, gritty exhausting courtroom with a fame for chewing up tennis balls. This yr they switched to Laykold, matching Miami and the U.S. Open. Taking the “new” courts of the primary time are Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and American Mackenzie McDonald.
It’s dangerous luck for McDonald. Davidovich Fokina is on a legit tear. The Spaniard has made two exhausting courtroom finals in a row in Delray Seashore and Acapulco. He misplaced each title matches to Miomir Kecmanovic and Tomas Machac, however he’s amassed a 13-6 document on the season up to now. Definitely fatigue will meet up with the Spaniard, nevertheless it’s unlikely to occur towards an opponent he’s overwhelmed in all 3 of their earlier matches.
Cheryl choose – Davidovich Fokina in 2
Jan-Lennard Struff vs. Gael Monfils
Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff has already run into Gael Monfils in 2025. The 2 males met on the exhausting courts of Auckland. Monfils gained in straight units en path to his title win. The Frenchman additionally performed effectively on the Australian Open reaching the spherical of 16 earlier than retiring to Ben Shelton after a grueling match. He hasn’t gained a single match since, as a result of a thigh damage.
A wholesome Monfils must be well-positioned to advance within the California desert. He holds a 3-0 document over Struff. The German, who’s 3-6 for the yr, has had few brilliant spots this yr. As common as Monfils is, the group must be squarely within the Frenchman’s quarter. Offered he’s not nonetheless hampered by the damage that saved him out of a house event in Marseille in February, Monfils ought to advance comfortably.
Cheryl choose – Monfils in 2
