An intriguing all-American battle between Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe will take place in the Indian Wells first round on Thursday. Borna Coric and Lucas Pouille are also in action.
(WC) Frances Tiafoe vs. (WC) Taylor Fritz
Fritz and Tiafoe will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers at the main-tour level when they clash in round one of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday afternoon. Both up-and-coming Americans are on the rise, but it is Fritz who has been especially red-hot of late. The 18-year-old is up to No. 80 in the world thanks in part to consistently impressive results this season. He captured a Challenger title in Australia, finished runner-up to Kei Nishikori in Memphis, and advanced to the Acapulco quarterfinals as a qualifier.
Also 18 years old, Tiafoe registers at 177th in the rankings. He has won just a single ATP-level match in his career and narrowly missed out on a second victory in Memphis. Tiafoe faced Ryan Harrison in the first round of that event and suffered a tough 6-7(0), 7-6(8), 6-4 setback. This should be an entertaining contest, with an edge going to Fritz based on his incredible current form and sky-high confidence.
Pick: Fritz in 3
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Borna Coric vs. Lucas Pouille
A whole host of Indian Wells participants are making turnarounds following Davis Cup action last weekend, and Coric is no exception. In an opening-round tie against Belgium, the 19-year-old Croat lost on the first day of singles in five sets to David Goffin but bounced back to win the decisive fifth rubber in straight sets at Kimmer Coppejans’ expense. Coric, who comes in at No. 47 in the world, owns a decent seven ATP-level wins during this 2016 campaign–but he has cooled off since reaching the Chennai title to begin the season.
Up first for Coric on Thursday is Pouille, whom he has never faced. Pouille is three years older than his opponent at 22, but the Frenchman is really just now starting to make a name for himself on tour. He made a run to the Brisbane quarterfinals to begin 2016 and last month he successfully qualified in Dubai before bowing out in three sets to Vasek Pospisil. With Coric forced to get right back in business on the heels of Davis Cup duty and transferring from clay to hard courts, this is a good opportunity for the underdog.
Pick: Pouille in 3
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who ya got?
I’ll go Coric in three… Fritz in two…
Think Coric might take a set to adjust but come through in the end.
When’s the daily picks going up?
Same as Denzil on Coric in 3.
The 5 set loss to Goffin yes, should have been tough on Coric; but the teen didn’t look phased versus Kimmer Coppejans the following day. I’m guessing he’s had enough recovery time by now. Goffin, on the other hand, I’ll guess is suffering: won a tough 4 set v Cilic, won 5 set v Coric, lost doubles, lost the battle to Croatia after all that work – difficult all around for David Goffin.
Fritz in 3 . Excited about this match!
Coric is great mentally. I doubt he took anything but positives from that match with Goffin.
We shall soon see, but that’s what I think, too. Can’t wait!
Ricky put his daily picks up 🙂
Fritz in 2, don’t know enough about Coric and Pouille to make a choice.
Fritz in three and coric in three
Coric and Fritz in two. If it goes three in either case the underdogs will be emboldened and probably win.