Day 2 at the first ATP Masters 1000 of the season won’t feature the seeds yet, but it will surely feature plenty of tight and high quality matches in Indian Wells, California–including promising up and coming players like Learner Tien and a former semifinalist at this event like David Goffin. Despite the lack of top ranked players, it should be a great day of tennis in the Californian desert.

ATP Indian Wells Day 2 Predictions

Learner Tien vs Mariano Navone

Head-to-head: first meeting

Tien has had an excellent start to the season and should keep steadily rising up the rankings in the coming months, while Navone went down the rankings after a disappointing South American swing  and is unlikely to get any significant results in the big hard court events now. Given the surface, Tien should have a very clear edge here and set up a blockbuster match with Ben Shelton in the second round.
Prediction: Tien in 2

Matteo Arnaldi vs Aleksandar Kovacevic

Head-to-head: Arnaldi 1-0 Kovacevic

Kovacevic had a fantastic run in Montpelier but it seems to have been a flash in the pan in an otherwise disappointing season so far. Arnaldi hasn’t been particularly impressive this season either, but he’s clearly the better player of the two in general and should have the edge here all things considered.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 3

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Arthur Rinderknech vs Nuno Borges

Head-to-head: first meeting

Borges has established himself as a solid ATP level player, clearly a tier above someone like Rinderknech, but he is quite inconsistent and prone to upsets. If Rinderknech plays close to his best he can definitely win here but he has been having a very rough season and under normal circumstances it is Borges who should advance here.
Prediction: Borges in 3

David Goffin vs Lorenzo Sonego

Head-to-head: Sonego 2-1 Goffin

Sonego had a great run at the Australian Open but hasn’t really kept that level since. Goffin finally got some wins this year last week in Acapulco and might have some momentum coming in here. It should be quite a tight match, decided by very small margins and by who executes better in the most important points.
Prediction: Goffin in 3

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports