The seeds can be out in pressure for the primary time on the 2025 Indian Wells Masters on Friday, together with No. 1 Alexander Zverev. Acquainted foe Tallon Griekspoor will face Zverev, whereas Holger Rune kicks off his event towards Corentin Moutet.
Listed below are my picks for 2 of one of the best second-round matchups.(1) Alexander Zverev vs. Tallon GriekspoorZverev and Griekspoor additionally squared off finally 12 months’s BNP Paribas Open, the place Zverev scored a 7-6(7), 6-3 victory. The German has since received three different encounters to take a 6-1 lead within the head-to-head collection. Nevertheless, Griekspoor has been aggressive. They performed final-set tiebreakers on the French Open and Shanghai Masters plus a three-setter on the Paris Masters.
There is no such thing as a doubt that Griekspoor has the expertise to win this match. The Forty third-ranked Dutchman is in nice type with a current semifinal efficiency in Dubai adopted by a three-set win over Miomir Kecmanovic on Wednesday. What’s problematic for Griekspoor is that’s coping with a foot damage. Despite the fact that Zverev seems to be weak (quarterfinal losses in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro earlier than shedding in spherical two of the ATP 500 in Acapulco), the underdog would completely should be one hundred pc with the intention to capitalize on this chance.
Choose: Zverev in 2(12) Holger Rune vs. Corentin MoutetRune and Moutet can be dealing with one another for the third time of their careers. Surprisingly, Moutet holds a 2-0 benefit within the head-to-head collection. They collide twice within the span of two weeks at the exact same venue early in 2022, when the schedule was alternated due to the coronavirus pandemic. Moutet received 7-6(6), 6-4 and 7-5, 6-3, each instances in Adelaide.
Though Rune is clearly a big favourite three years later, it could be no shock if Moutet as soon as once more comes out on high. The Thirteenth-ranked Dutchman is struggling, whereas the artful left-hander already has a match below his belt and is due to this fact conversant in these tough desert circumstances (beat Jordan Thompson 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 on Wednesday). I’m going with the upset.
Choose: Moutet in 3Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.