Denis Shapovalov and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will be in second-round action in Indian Wells on Saturday. Jenson Brooksby and Karen Khachanov will also take the court in what could be a dangerous matchup for Khachanov.
(25) Karen Khachanov vs. Jenson Brooksby
Karen Khachanov is a favorable seed to face early at the BNP Paribas Open for American Jenson Brooksby. Most importantly, Khachanov is Russian but playing unaffiliated for the time being; the ATP is not permitting Russian players to play for their country due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, the No. 25 seed has had an inconsistent start to the season and can be particularly vulnerable to an in-form player. Brooksby is, indeed, an in-form player.
Brooksby sits at a career-high 43rd in the world. He made the final in Dallas several weeks ago and he scored an emphatic win in the first round over Roberto Carballes Baena (6-1, 6-4) and the Californian will be playing in front of the home crowd. He doesn’t have a traditional heavy baseline game but uses variety and the element of surprise to keep his opponents guessing.
Khachanov possesses a much more typical baseline game. He had a bye into round two, so his first match this week will be against Brooksby. The American could snag the upset win in this one.
Cheryl pick: Brooksby in 3
Ricky pick: Brooksby in 3
(13) Denis Shapovalov vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov has had a good if not spectacular start to the season. The world No. 13 made run to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, where he lost a five-set heartbreaker to eventual champion Rafael Nadal. He helped team Canada win the ATP Cup to start the season, and he made the semis in Dubai a couple of weeks ago.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina had a less impressive start to 2022. The Spaniard was an anemic 3-6 coming into Indian Wells, but he beat Borna Coric in the first round on Thursday. The conditions should give Davidovich Fokina a little more leverage against Shapovalov than he would have on faster surfaces.
The Spaniard is ranked 43rd in the world, but expect him to make this one competitive. Although Shapovalov should advance, ADF will likely make him work for it.
Cheryl pick: Shapovalov in 3
Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3
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