Best Tips for the 2023 Men's Event

The day we’ve been waiting for is finally here. The Indian Wells Open kicked off last week, with players from around the world battling for the first ATP Masters title of the year. We’ve been through the first six rounds, and witnessed many exciting matches. That said, there are just two players left in the draw; one of these players will be eyeing his fourth consecutive title, while the other will set his sights on a second ATP title this year. Which of these players will be left standing at the end of today’s final?

Outright Predictions For Indian Wells 2023

It’s important to point out that Daniil Medvedev was the pre-tournament favourite, and he has remained the favourite to win the title all through this competition; until now, that is. Ahead of today’s final, Carlos Alcaraz is slightly favoured over the Russian. This will be a clash between two former grand slam champions; as Medvedev won the US Open title two years ago, while Alcaraz won it last year.

Interestingly, these two have been the most in-form players on the ATP Tour over the past month. Carlos Alcaraz missed the Australian Open in January due to an injury, and didn’t participate in any tournament until the second week of February. However, the Spaniard bounced back from his injury in style, winning the title at Buenos Aires in his first tournament of the year. It’s important to point out that Alcaraz has played in three tournaments this year, and he reached the final in all of them. He has played 14 singles matches in 2023, winning 13 of them.

Like the Spaniard, Daniil Medvedev has been on fire these past couple of months. Since his disappointing third round exit at this year’s Australian Open, the Russian has been the hottest player on the ATP Tour. As a matter of fact, Medvedev has won 19 consecutive matches across all competitions, with 14 of those wins coming in straight sets. He has won three straight titles in that stretch, and will set his sights on another one today.

We’ve been impressed by both players’ performances in recent weeks, and it’s difficult to pick a winner here. However, we are leaning towards Daniil Medvedev to win the Indian Wells title. For one, the only other time these players met, Medvedev came out on top in straight sets (even though it was on grass). Additionally, the Russian is too hot right now; and all things considered, we believe he’ll extend his winning streak to 20 matches at the end of this tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Daniil Medvedev Head to Head

These former US Open champions will square off against each other for the second time in their respective careers today. They previously met at Wimbledon two years ago, and Daniil Medvedev won that encounter in straight sets.

• 01/07/21 Medvedev won 3-0 (Wimbledon, Grass)

Carlos Alcaraz – The Journey So Far

Carlos Alcaraz was seeded ahead of this tournament, and because of that, he didn’t play in the first round. The 19 year old faced Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round, winning in two short sets, 6-3, 6,3. In the third round, Alcaraz took on Tallon Griekspoor, his first seeded opponent of this tournament. Although the Dutchman put up a better fight than Carlos Alcaraz’s second round opponent, the Spaniard ultimately won in straight sets.

Up next, Jack Draper. The Brit was coming off back-to-back wins against his compatriots, and was expected to cause some problems for Alcaraz. However, Draper struggled with an abdominal injury for most of the match, and had to retire two games into the second set. Interestingly, Carlos Alcaraz played his first three matches without getting broken by an opponent.

Carlos Alcaraz went up against Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner in the next two rounds, a couple of the best young players on the ATP Tour. Like his previous opponents in this tournament, the former World number 1 dismissed both in straight sets, setting up a mouthwatering clash with Daniil Medvedev. As we head into this year’s BNP Paribas Open final, these are Carlos Alcaraz’s results in previous rounds of this competition:

• Second round vs Kokkinakis, won 2-0
• Third round vs Griekspoor, won 2-0
• Round of 16 vs Draper, won (rtd)
• Quarter-final vs Auger-Aliassime, won 2-0
• Semi-final vs Sinner, won 2-0

Daniil Medvedev – The Journey So Far

Like his opponent, Daniil Medvedev received a first round bye, and his Indian Wells campaign started in the second round. The former World number 1 didn’t have too much difficulty dispatching Brandon Nakashima in straight sets in their second round clash. Interestingly, Medvedev had won 14 consecutive sets prior to this tournament; and with his straight sets victory over Nakashima, he extended that streak to 16 sets. However, that run came to an end in the third round, as the Russian surrendered a set to Ilya Ivashka.

After a three-sets victory over Ivashka, Daniil Medvedev played his toughest match of the tournament in the round of 16 against Zverev. He needed three hours and 17 minutes to beat the German in his second consecutive three-setter. It has been business as usual for the 27 year old since then; as he knocked out his next two opponents, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Frances Tiafoe in straight sets. With that in mind, these are the former World number 1’s results so far in this tournament:

• Second round vs Nakashima, won 2-0
• Third round vs Ivashka, won 2-1
• Round of 16 vs Zverev, won 2-1
• Quarter-final vs Davidovich Fokina, won 2-0
• Semi-final vs Tiafoe, won 2-0

Who do the bookies favour ahead of this tournament? Former World number 1 Daniil Medvedev is the bookies’ favourite to hoist the BNP Paribas Open title this year.

Who won the BNP Paribas title last year? Taylor Fritz is the defending champion here, as he came out on top in the previous edition of this competition.

How many seeded players are there in this tournament? The BNP Paribas Open has a total of 32 seeds, and these players will have a first round bye.

What will the winner of this tournament get? The champion gets 1000 ranking points, as well as $1,262,220.