Daniil Medvedev will take on Belarusian Ilya Ivashka for a spot in the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters on Sunday, while Russian compatriot Karen Khachanov battles Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
(5) Daniil Medvedev vs. Ilya Ivashka
Daniil Medvedev has been the hottest player on the men’s tour since the Australian Open. The world No. 6 has won three consecutive tournaments, including last week in Dubai–where he won the title without dropping a set. Thanks to a first-round bye, Medvedev has only played young American Brandon Nakashima en route to the last 32–and he won that match in straight sets, as well. Despite three straight titles, Medvedev is still showing no signs of fatigue.
Ilya Ivashka has had a positively horrific start to the 2023 season. The Belarusian had not won a single match coming into this week, but his first win of the year came against Roman Safiullin and he benefited from a retirement from Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round. Ivashka has lost three consecutive matches to Medevedev and sits at 1-3 head-to-head in ATP-level matches.
The Russian has been cruising along for weeks. Expect this one to go Medevedev’s way in comfortable fashion.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 2
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
(13) Karen Khachanov vs. (23) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
This could be one of the better matches of the day. Karen Khachanov came somewhat out of nowhere to make the semifinals at the Australian Open, but until this week he hadn’t won a match since that run. The world No. 15 got a first-round bye and then posted a straight-set win over Oscar Otte.
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s season has been much less impressive than Khachanov’s. The Spaniard was an anemic 7-6 prior to his win in the second round over Yibing Wu, although most of his losses have been competitive matches and came at the hands of tough competitors such as Medvedev and Andrey Rublev.
Khachanov and Davidovich Fokina have played just one before, back in 2020 on the indoor courts of the Paris Masters. The Spaniard won that encounter in three sets. This one is poised to go the distance, as well. Davidovich Fokina is the kind of fighter who frequently extends matches; Khachanov is a solid hard-courter with plenty of talent. Expect the Russian to pull this one out in three.
Cheryl pick: Khachanov in 3
Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3
A 50-50 match up….Kach in 3