"He often plays his best at the biggest events" - Eugenie Bouchard describes reasoning towards Shelton having deep run at Indian Wells

The first two Masters 1000 tournaments of the year are just around the corner, with the pair of them set in the USA. This will bring a lot of attention and pressure to the American players on tour with tennis analysts and former professional's lining up which player will seal the goods on home soil.

Since the turn of the century, just two players have triumphed at the Indian Wells Open, showing that American tennis in the men's game is lacking just a little bit compared to other areas in the world. It is not that they do not have the talent in their ranks with a whole host of strong contenders who could make a run.

Take Ben Shelton for example. He now knows how to win on the big stage after winning the 2025 Canadian Open for his biggest title to date in scintillating fashion. The world number eight will not be fully satisfied with that, though, and will be wanting to add more high calibre silverware to his collection, especially in his homeland.

Former Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard is of the opinion that Shelton is at his absolute best in the most prestigious tennis events in the world, giving him the edge over other players. The Canadian backed the 23-year-old for a strong showing in California. "The evolution of his game has been so impressive and he often plays his best at the biggest events," she told Tennis.com. "With Indian Wells looking like the biggest U.S. tournament behind the US Open itself, Tennis Paradise is an ideal stage for Shelton, who already won a first Masters 1000 title in Canada last summer."

Former professional Nick Monroe also sided with Shelton. "He’s my pick to make a run due to the tournament’s unique combination of surface speed," he commented. "The way the ball can jump and zip in these conditions should help Shelton’s already-phenomenal lefty serve be even more dangerous—and encourage him to come forward more often."

If it was not for injuries halting Tommy Paul's 2025 season very early, there would be a lot more hype around the American who began last year in emphatic style. He reached a brace of Grand Slam quarterfinals while also ending up at the semifinal of the Italian Open as he climbed into the top 10.

Injuries did rapidly halt his progress over the grass swing, and he was forced to skip the majority of the second season action. Now back to competing on a regular basis, he is looking to get back to his absolute best form and catch up the American contingent streaking ahead of him. After losing in the final of the Delray Beach Open, the Indian Wells Open provides a great place to respond, where he reached the semifinal stage in 2024.

Sam Querrey was under the opinion that Paul could be the 'most dangerous American' competing if fit and healthy. "Tommy’s clearly eager to get himself back in the mix after losing ground to Fritz and Shelton in the back half of 2025," he stated. "Back to full health in Australia, he played great to reach the second week and gave Carlos Alcaraz all he could handle over three close sets in the fourth round. If he’s healthy and playing well, he just may be the most dangerous American man in the field."

American commentator Brett Harber also took up this view. "After struggling with injuries for much of last season, Paul seems to be back at full strength with a strong start to 2026. His Delray Beach win over Taylor Fritz—the only American man to win Indian Wells since Andre Agassi in 2001—was certainly a statement about his readiness to return to the Top 10—and beyond."

When talking about American tennis players, you cannot rule out Fritz. The 2022 champion in Indian Wells is one of those two forementioned Americans to take the title in the 200s, the first since Agassi in 2001.

After missing the chance to defeat Shelton in the Dallas Open final, he will be pumped to find his best game once more and charge back into the top five in the world while keeping his number one American tag for a while longer.

He certainly has the support from Roger Federer's former coach Paul Annacone. "Total transparency: how can i go against my man in his hometown tournament? A tournament he’s the only one of his countrymen to have won before, no less," he said.

All of these predictions and queries will soon be answered with the action about to start up. The first Masters 1000 tournament of the year will take place from March 4-15 with the Miami Open following swiftly after.