Taylor Fritz vs Sebastian Baez Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Indian Wells

Prediction published on 12/03/2023, 12:00  by Steve Ashfield in Tennis Predictions

Defending champion Taylor Fritz faces 30th seeded Sebastian Baez in the Indian Wells third round. The winner of this match will take on unseeded opposition in the last 16, namely Alex Molcan or Marton Fucsovics. Fritz began this tournment at a career high fifth in the rankings but has his 1000 points won here last year to defend. That means he's only tenth in the live rankings and will stay in that position even if beating Baez. Fritz started 2023 being part of the US team that won the United Cup winning four singles matches. The American then disappointly lost a five-setter to Alexei Popyrin in the Australian Open second round. That match saw three tie-breaks being played. He's been in much better form since then with semi-finals in both Dallas and Acapulco and winning the Delray Beach Open title. After receiving a bye in the first round of this tournament. Fritz beat Ben Shelton in round two but had to come from behind to get that win. 

Sebastian Baez began this tournament ranked 35th in the world. That's four places short of his career high position achieved last August. He was as low as 47th at the end of January but has risen up the rankings again due to a good run of form on clay in South America. Baez won the Cordoba tournament, reached the last four in Santiago and the quarter finals in Rio. His form on hard courts isn't so good though and he began this year with three consecutive losses down under. That made it six hard court losses in a row and just one win in his last 15. That included a loss to Fritz in the Cincinnati Masters last year, winning just two games. He finally got his first hard court win of the year when beating qualifier Rinky HIjikata for the loss of only four games. Back Fritz to win this in straight sets.