Main-draw competition at the Indian Wells Masters gets underway on Wednesday, when former champion Cameron Norrie faces Luca Nardi. Zizou Bergs and Ethan Quinn are also aiming for a place in round two.
Cameron Norrie vs. Luca Nardi
It will be a battle between two players whose biggest moments of their careers came at the BNP Paribas Open when Norrie and Nardi collide during first-round action on Wednesday. Norrie won the Indian Wells title in 2021, the year it was held in the fall because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nardi upset Novak Djokovic last March, advancing to the fourth round as a lucky loser.
Although the 67th-ranked Italian has not done a whole lot since that breakthrough, he is playing well at the moment. Nardi successfully qualified in both Doha and Dubai while winning a combined three main-draw matches at those tournaments and also taking a set off Carlos Alcaraz. Once in the top 10, Norrie is struggling down at No. 77 in the world and has suffered opening-round exits in three of six events this season. Given the British lefty’s style of play, a lot has to go right in order for him to find success–and not much is going right these days. This is a good opportunity for Nardi to continue his recent hot streak.
Pick: Nardi in 3
Zizou Bergs vs. (Q) Ethan Quinn
Bergs is playing by far the best tennis of his career right now, which is why he registers at a best-ever ranking of No. 53 in the world. The 25-year-old Belgian has already picked up 12 main-tour match wins in 2025, including a runner-up performance in Auckland and a semifinal showing in Marseille.
Up first for Bergs on Wednesday is Quinn, whom he has never faced. The University of Georgia product and 2023 NCAA singles champion is starting to make some headway on the pro tour. Up to 137th in the world, Quinn finished runner-up to Joao Fonseca at the Canberra Challenger, advanced to round two in both Dallas and Delray Beach, and successfully qualified for the Indian Wells main draw with victories over Tristan Schoolkate and Gabriel Diallo. An in-form opponent who already has two matches under his belt is always dangerous, but Bergs should have just enough experience and all-around game to secure a spot in the last 64.
Pick: Bergs in 3
