Several blockbuster tournaments are on the agenda as the second round of Indian Wells gets underway on Friday. Felix Auger-Aliassime faces Gael Monfils and Alexander Zverev in Matteo Berrettini’s battles.
(WC) Gael Monfils vs. (9) Felix Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime and Monfils will meet for the third time in their careers when they meet in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Friday. They split their previous two encounters; Monfils went 6-2, 6-4 in the 2020 Rotterdam final before Auger-Aliassime got the job done 6-4, 6-3 in the 2023 Laver Cup.
This should be a trend in favor of Auger-Aliassime. World No. 9 has been in good form this season, with a 12-4 record that includes a title in Montpellier and a runner-up performance in Rotterdam. At the age of 39, Monfils begins his last season. The 148th-ranked Frenchman is in the top spot with a 2-3 record so far in 2026, though he did at least manage to beat qualifier Alexis Galarneau 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday. A very strong Canadian, it will probably mark the end of the Monfils line in Indian Wells.
Select: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Matteo Berrettini vs. (4) Alexander Zverev
Injuries have prevented Berrettini from doing anything big over the past few seasons and have dropped him to 66th in the rankings. As such, the Italian could use a deep run as he tries to get back into a position that will benefit him as a seed at the Grand Slams. Berrettini is a respectable but unspectacular 4-3 this year after surviving a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 loss against Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday.
Next up for the former Wimbledon champion is the eighth match against Zverev, who leads the series 4-3. They met once in 2025, when Berrettini came out 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 at the Monte-Carlo Masters. Zverev should be able to turn the tide in his favor. He is well rested, the desert conditions are good for his game, and Berrettini is coming off a great effort against Mannarino that left him cramping after match point.
Pick: Zverev at 2
