Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev will take on American Sebastian Korda as the tennis heats up in Indian Wells on Monday. No. 7 seed Holger Rune will also be in third-round action, facing Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.
(4) Daniil Medvedev vs. (29) Sebastian Korda
If this seems like an easy call for Daniil Medvedev in his Monday match against Sebastian Korda, you might be in for a surprise. Certainly Medvedev is the more seasoned, experienced player of the two men, but the Russian has historically had difficulty with Korda’s brand of patient, baseline game. The American has won the two most recent of their three encounters, including a massive upset at the Australian Open last year.
Medvedev has had a good start to the 2024 season. He made his way to the Australian Open final, where he lost a two-set lead to Jannik Sinner–a repeat performance of his 2022 loss to Rafael Nadal in Melbourne. Korda will get a bump from the home crowd, and clearly his game gives Medvedev difficulty. Both Medvedev and Korda enjoyed a first-round bye, so they have each played just one match this week to earn their spots in the third round. Korda was efficient in his straight-set win over Roman Safiullin, while Medvedev upended Roberto Carballes Baena in two.
Look for Medvedev to get some revenge for his last two losses to Korda.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
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(7) Holger Rune vs. (26) Lorenzo Musetti
Ordinarily by the end of the first week of a tournament, any player remaining in the draw has played a match or two and their form can be evaluated. This is not the case for controversial star Holger Rune. The Dane hasn’t hit a single ball during match play at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden during this edition. As the No. 7 seed Rune had a first-round bye, and second-round opponent Milos Raonic withdrew prior to their match.
Lorenzo Musetti earned his last 32 with a three-set victory over Canadian Denis Shapovalov. The Italian has endured a rough start to the 2024 season, with a 4-7 record going into Indian Wells. Despite Rune’s lack of match play this week, he is playing well enough on hard courts this year to feel good about his chances against a player as out of form as Musetti.
Cheryl pick: Rune in 2
Ricky pick: Rune in 3
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WWW?
sure has been an easy week so far for Rune…in 2;….and Korda pulls off another Med upset, in 3.
almost!
Korda you can’t fight alone against the Medvedev….Kooorda you can’t fight alone against the monster.