Preview: Indian Wells: Casper Ruud vs. Valentin Vacherot – prediction, event to this point

On Monday, Valentin Vacherot will search to stun one other prime participant when he squares off with Casper Ruud within the third spherical of the Indian Wells Open.

Over the weekend, Ruud ousted Alexander Shevchenko 6-1 7-6 (7-4), whereas his upcoming Monegasque opponent took care of Nuno Borges 7-5 7-5.

Match preview

His opener was not with out a few bumps within the highway, however ultimately, Casper Ruud took benefit of his opponent’s error.

The Norwegian didn’t register a single double fault in that match, whereas trying constantly sharp on his second serves, successful 87% of them.

He additionally claimed two of his six break-point alternatives to advance into this spherical of the occasion for a fourth time.

In two of his earlier three appearances within the spherical of 32 of this event, he has been eradicated, although he gained his final third-round match on the Indian Wells Open in 2024, defeating Frenchman Arthur Fils in straight units.

The three-time Grand Slam finalist has solely registered 23 double faults on onerous courtroom surfaces this yr, whereas saving 75% of his break factors.

At the identical time, Ruud has gained 89% of his service video games on that floor in 2026 however solely claimed 15% of his return video games for the yr.

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Lots can occur in a yr, and Valentin Vacherot is proof of that, with the 27-year-old skyrocketing up the ATP charts.

Born in southern France, he was ranked 262nd firstly of March 2025, however he comes into this event seeded twenty fourth on the singles draw of this occasion.

Over that span, his play has turned heads, with the Monaco native upsetting a pair of prime 10 gamers, together with a straight-sets victory over Novak Djokovic within the semi-finals of the 2025 Shanghai Masters en path to successful that event.

Saturday was his first match on the Indian Wells Open, and he overcame 4 double faults whereas successful 79% of his first serves and three break factors.

For the yr, Vacherot has gained 88% of his service video games on the onerous courtroom, whereas displaying robust serving, registering 121 aces on that floor.

Along with that, he has saved 68% of his break factors on onerous courts and been capable of convert 43% of them total in 2026.

Tournament to this point

Casper Ruud:

First spherical: Bye

Second spherical: vs. Alexander Shevchenko 6-1 7-6 (7-4)

Valentin Vacherot:

First spherical: Bye

Second spherical: vs. Nuno Borges 7-5 7-5

We say: Ruud to win in three units

Vacherot has proven that he’s not intimidated by large gamers, however we belief Ruud’s total sport, which is savvy whereas he makes few errors in early-round matches.