Indian Wells, USA

Three to See, Indian Wells: Korda vs. Tiafoe; Gauff vs. Garcia; Andreescu vs. Riske



Tennis Channel Live: Emma Raducanu loses in Second Round2:33
Tennis Channel Live: Radacanu drops first match since US Open win

Sebastian Korda vs. Frances Tiafoe

It feels like the Marylander and the Floridian come from different generations of U.S. men. But at 23, Tiafoe is just two years older than Korda. More important, Korda is already ranked eight spots higher at No. 40. The two are polar opposites as personalities and players: Tiafoe is flashy and extroverted, with a speed-based game; Korda has a veteran’s calm, and ball-striking so clean it seems downright un-American. Tiafoe won their only meeting, three years ago, and if this match were being staged at night, with a crowd he could flex to, I’d say he would be the favorite to win again. But it’s a day match. Winner: Korda

Coco Gauff vs. Caroline Garcia

As Tennis Channel’s Lindsay Davenport said on Friday, if someone had told you a teenager would win the US Open women’s title, you likely would have guessed it was Gauff, rather than Emma Raducanu or Leylah Fernandez. But while Coco at 17 hasn’t had a major breakthrough, she has still had a successful season, and she should be motivated by the success of her fellow newcomers. She should also be a solid favorite to win her first meeting with Garcia, whose ranking has drifted down to No. 59, a full 40 spots below the American’s. Winner: Gauff

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Cori Gauff of the United States in action during a practice session on Day 2 of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 05, 2021 in Indian Wells, California.  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

Bianca Andreescu vs. Alison Riske

Yes, Andreescu is the defending women’s champion in Indian Wells, even though she won her title here in the spring of 2019, which feels like an entirely different era of tennis from today. After months spent on the sidelines, the Canadian seems to be in title-defense shape at the moment. But Alison Riske is also trying to recapture her 2019 form; that year she made the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. These two have never played. Winner: Andreescu