2024 Indian Wells: Preview and Order of Play for March 13th ft Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune

The 2024 Indian Wells Open moves into its 8th Day. Some big upsets and epic matches have entertained fans so far in the first week of the 1000-rated combined event. The same is expected in the coming days as the tournament moves into its business end.

With the first set of single quarter-finalists confined on Day 7, the remaining spots will be locked on Day 8. Men’s No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic and 11th-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas were on the receiving ends of some of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

As the action moves towards the final set of matches for the fourth round, last year’s runner-ups Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka will be seen in action. Other big names include Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, and Taylor Fritz in a star-studded line-up.

Schedule for the day (Men)

Schedule for the day (Women)

Some exciting matches to look out for:

Aryna Sabalenka vs Emma Navarro

Reigning Australian Open champ Aryna Sabalenka continues her bid to win her maiden title at the tennis paradise. Local girl Emma Navarro has been quite a revelation at this event. The 22-year-old is currently the player with the joint-most match wins this season alongside Iga Swiatek.

The two ladies are yet to meet in a professional match. The Belarusian got the better of Emma Raducanu, sending the Briton packing in straight-sets. As for Navarro, she shot down in-form Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in three sets to reach the fourth round.

Prediction: Sabalenka in 3.

Daniil Medvedev vs Grigor Dimitrov

2023 men’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev had to put on a big fight against local boy Sebastian Korda to make the fourth round. The young American tested the Russian but eventually succumbed in three sets. Grigor Dimitrov has rather had an easier run winning both his matches in straight-sets so far.

He defeated Adrian Mannarino in the third round to set his 11th clash with Medvedev. The former World No. 1 currently leads 7-3 in their head-to-head with all seven wins coming on hardcourts. Dimitrov’s only win came in their first-ever meeting back in 2017 in Queen’s Club.

Prediction: Medvedev in 3.

Coco Gauff vs Elise Mertens

Elise Mertens continues her fine form at the tournament with back-to-back straight-set wins. She defeated former champ Naomi Osaka in the third round to set up this tie with Coco Gauff. The American had to go to the third set in her campaign opener.

She then defeated Lucia Bronzetti in straight-sets to make the fourth round. This will be the fourth meeting between the two players. All of the three matches so far have been won by Gauff which makes her the favorite for this tie as well.

Prediction: Gauff in 2.

Taylor Fritz vs Holger Rune

In a blockbuster clash that will also be the final match on the biggest court of the tennis garden, 2022 champ and local favorite Taylor Fritz will take on seventh seed Holger Rune. The two will meet for the second time on the Tour. Their last meeting took place in the 2023 Miami Masters with Fritz winning it.

Both the players are yet to drop a set this week. Rune beat Alejandro Tabilo and then Sebastian Baez (6-2, 6-2) to reach the fourth round. As for Fritz, he had a walkover in the second round as Milos Raonic withdrew after his first-round win. The American then defeated Lorenzo Musetti [6-2, 7-6(5)] in the third round.

Prediction: Rune in 3.

In case you missed it:

• WATCH: Carlos Alcaraz sparks controversies with yet another cryptic post-match message after reaching Indian Wells quarterfinals
• WATCH: “How can you not make that judgment? Are you kidding me or what?” Novak Djokovic gets into an argument with the chair umpire at Indian Wells over a controversial hindrance call

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