The remaining fourth-round spots on the Indian Wells Masters might be handed out on Monday, when Taylor Fritz faces fellow American Alex Michelsen. Daniil Medvedev continues his title quest towards Sebastian Baez.
Alex Michelsen vs. (7) Taylor Fritz
The BNP Paribas Open is an applicable setting for this showdown that includes fellow California natives. The crowd will undoubtedly be engrossed in what’s simply the second head-to-head contest between Fritz and Michelsen. Their solely earlier encounter got here on the pink clay of Geneva in 2024, when Michelsen prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
You should assume Fritz will get revenge on his Indian Wells stomping grounds. This has all the time been the 28-year-old’s favourite event, which he gained in 2022 after reaching the semifinals in 2021. Fritz opened with a 6-3, 6-7(8), 6-1 victory over Jake Fearnley on Saturday, however he was the dominant participant from begin to end regardless of throwing away the second set in stunning style. Michelsen is coming off a a lot harder three-set thriller towards Ugo Humbert late on Saturday night time — which the 21-year-old survived 7-5, 6-7(5), 7-6(6) after two hours and 46 minutes. He preceded that outcome with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over qualifier Daniel Meria. Michelsen is enjoying nicely, however Fritz is extra rested and is trying like a respectable contender to as soon as once more attain no less than the semis in Tennis Paradise.
Pick: Fritz in 2
(11) Daniil Medvedev vs. Sebastian Baez
Medvedev took the circuitous route from Dubai to Indian Wells — and he didn’t have any alternative. Amidst the continued battle within the Middle East, his journey included a seven-hour automobile experience to Oman after which a number of aircraft flights that went from Istanbul ultimately to Palm Springs. Whatever the case, there seems to be no stopping Medvedev. The Eleventh-ranked Russian is 14-3 this season with two titles (together with Dubai), and he thrashed Alejandro Tabilo 6-4, 6-2 in his Indian Wells opener on Saturday night time.
Up subsequent for the 29-year-old on Monday is a second encounter with Baez, who misplaced their solely earlier assembly 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(6) on the 2023 U.S. Open. This is kind of merely a matchup between two of the most well liked gamers on tour, as Baez has already earned a whopping 14 ATP-level match wins in 2026. The 53rd-ranked Argentine has superior this fortnight by ousting Chun-Hsin Tseng and Jiri Lehecka in straight units. Conditions at this occasion are in no way dangerous for Baez, however he nonetheless can’t be trusted on any floor aside from true clay.
Pick: Medvedev in 2
