Karen Khachanov vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Indian Wells

Prediction published on 11/03/2023, 14:24  by Kennedy Kechula | Modified on 11/03/2023 at 19:00 in Tennis Predictions

Thirteenth seed Karen Khachanov and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (seeded 23rd) will on Sunday face off in the third round of the Indian Wells Open on an outdoor hard court. The two players have met once before with Fokina winning in three sets in the Paris Masters three years ago. Karen Khachanov is playing in only his second tournament after making it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. He'd reached two quarter finals before his run to the last four in Melbourne. A month of inactivity coupled with a first-round defeat in Dubai saw him drop down to 15th in the live ranking. He beat unseeded Oscar Otte in straight sets in the previous round and will hope for the same against Fokina as he targets getting back into the top 10 for the first time in five years. At this Masters 1000 event, Khachanov has only twice advanced from this round with his best-ever showing being a quarterfinal finish in 2019.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina has been more active than Khachanov but his season so far has been characterized by inconsistency. The Spaniard has played in six tournaments prior to arriving at Indian Wells and in all six has not won more than two matches a tournament. This has seen him slide in and out of the world’s top 30. He is currently ranked 28th in the live ranking. He defeated wildcard Wu Yibing in straight sets to advance to this round for the first time in his career. A win here will see him move up to 26th in the live ranking which will be a new career high. The winner here will advance to the fourth round where a tie with either the qualifier Cristian Garin or third seed Casper Ruud awaits.