Although the losers don’t play until the second round, there are some interesting first-round matches on Thursday’s Indian Wells schedule. Among them are Alejandro Tabilo vs. Rafael Jodar and Hubert Hurkacz vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Alejandro Tabilo vs. (WC) Rafael Jodar
It will be a battle between two in-form players when Tabilo and Jodar play for the first time in their careers in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday. Tabilo has won 16 matches in 2026 (ten in major ATP tournaments), including a runner-up finish in Rio de Janeiro. Jodar is 27-7 in his last 34 games at all levels dating back to last October.
Tabilo brings a great effort to the Golden Swing. Apart from the finals in Rio, the 40th-ranked Chilean also advanced to the quarterfinals in Buenos Aires and Santiago. Counting the Dallas qualifier, Jodar has won at least one game in all five of his events this season. The conditions in Indian Wells are good for Tabilo, but they should also be very suitable for the 19-year-old Spaniard. Expect a high-quality contest, with a slight edge to the more rested Jodar.
Pick: Jodar at 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic
Hurkacz and Kovacevic will meet again for the first time in their careers on Thursday. Since coming out of the gates of 2026 like gangbusters, things have gone downhill in a big way for Hurkacz. The 71st-ranked player led his country to the United Cup title with a 4-1 singles victory over Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Tallon Griekspoor, and Stan Wawrinka, but has now lost four matches at Tennis Paradise.
Kovacevic has been all over the place this season – both literally and figuratively. The 72nd-ranked American began his February campaign on the hard indoor courts of Europe (Montpellier) and then played in Dallas, Delray Beach, and Acapulco. Kovacevic started the year strong with a semifinal appearance in Brisbane, but is 4-8 in his last 12 games. The 27-year-old is a hopeless 0-4 in Indian Wells (0-3 in the main draw), so Hurkacz should have the edge this time around.
Pick: Hurkacz at 2
