Third round action at the Indian Wells Masters continues with world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz taking on Arthur Rinderknech on Monday. Defending champion Jack Draper faces Francisco Cerundolo.
(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (26) Arthur Rinderknech
Rinderknech must be tired of seeing Alcaraz on the other side of the net. Monday’s BNP Paribas Open marks their sixth tournament, with each of the past five going Alcaraz’s way – two at the US Open, two at Queen’s Club, and most recently in Doha last month. Rinderknech took a set in their first two meetings, but it’s been straight sets since.
More of the same should be on the line in this third round battle at Tennis Paradise. Alcaraz is a two-time champion and was relentless in his 6-2, 6-3 victory over Grigor Dimitrov on Saturday – improving to 13-0 on the season. Rinderknech received a walkover from Juan Manuel Cerundolo, so his tournament will start against Alcaraz – undoubtedly making the challenge even more difficult. Although the 28th-ranked French player is playing well, it is difficult to see him winning a set in this match.
Pick: Alcaraz at 2
(19) Francisco Cerundolo vs. (14) Jack Draper
If Draper loses on Monday, he will drop to the No. 29. That’s because he’s the defending champion at Indian Wells, so 1000 points off the board. Coming back from his latest injury in his long streak is off to a good start, with a 3-1 record (lost to Rinderknech in Dubai). The British lefty began his title defense in the desert with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Roberto Bautista Agut on Saturday.
Next up for Draper on Monday is a third meeting with Cerundolo, who has won each of the first two games. The 20th-ranked Argentine won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on the red wall of Lyon in 2023 and 7-6 (4), 7-5 on hard indoor court in the 2024 Davis Cup tournament. Cerundolo will come off 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(5) against Benjamin Bonzi, but Draper represents a step up in the tournament and the No. 19 rarely beats top-level opponents. This is clearly not the same Draper that Cerundolo faced in 2023 and 2024.
Pick: Draper at 3
