Andrey Rublev vs Grigor Dimitrov Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Indian Wells

Prediction published on 17/03/2022, 07:40  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 17/03/2022 at 10:45 in Tennis Predictions

Seventh seeded Andrey Rublev takes on the 33rd seed Grigor Dimitrov in the Indian Wells quarter final. Rublev is the second highest seed (behind Rafa Nadal) in the draw. The winner of this match will play either 20th seed Taylor Fritz or unseeded Miomir Kecmanovic in the semi-final. Rublev is the world number seven but began the year ranked two places higher. He only reached the last 32 at the Australian Open but since then has shown the consistency that saw him climb the rankings last year. Rublev got to the semi-finals in Rotterdam and then won the Marseille tournament. He followed that up with success in winning in Dubai, though the highest ranked player beaten was world number 11 Hubert Hurkacz. His good form has continued in Indian Wells with victories over Dominik Koepfer, Frances Tiafoe and defending champion Hurkacz, all without losing a set.

Grigor Dimitrov came in as 33rd seed when Novak Djokovic withdrew. He's the world number 35 but up to 30 in the live rankings. A win over Rublev will take him up to 30th. That's still well below the third place he had in the rankings five years ago and he began this year in 28th place. 2022 began well for Dimitrov with a run to the semi-finals in Melbourne, though no top 50 ranked players were defeated. His next two tournaments saw him beaten in his second match but in Acapulco he was beaten in his first match, losing to Stefan Kozlov, ranked 130th at the time. Better form has been shown in Indian Wells with wins over Jordan Thompson, 31st seeded Alexander Bublik and 23rd seed John Isner. This is a lot tougher though as Dimitrov bids to reach the semi-finals here for the second year in a row. The pair have had four previous meetings and the scores are level at 2-2. Rublev won their last match (played in 2019) in straight sets. Back Rublev to get another win.