The first round is complete mostly at the big names are set to come into the foray on Friday at the 2024
Indian Wells Open. This includes
Iga Swiatek,
Jannik Sinner and defending champions
Carlos Alcaraz and
Elena Rybakina.
Schedule is confirmed and our preview will look ahead to Friday March 8 at Tennis Paradise with all the main talking points and matches to watch.
Sinner and Swiatek lead Stadium 1
During the Day Session, there are four matches over the two main show courts that will see tennis fans with a dilemma. It all starts with Jannik Sinner who technically is still unbeaten this season. He faces off against Thanasi Kokkinakis to begin proceedings. After winning the Australian Open and Rotterdam, he will look to take that form into Tennis Paradise.
Iga Swiatek follows along with the World No.1 again facing Danielle Collins who will retire at the end of 2024 so every tournament is the last we will see her at 'insert tournament name here'. But of course it is more special given that Indian Wells was where she had a breakout back in 2018 and since then she has become a Grand Slam finalist. An American who will be missed on the WTA Tour and one who has had success against Swiatek in the past, so don't count her out just yet.
As well as that tandem, Angelique Kerber faces off against Jelena Ostapenko in the opener on Stadium 2, while Andrey Rublev takes on Andy Murray straight after. Also on Stadium 2 throughout the day and into the night are Ben Shelton facing off against Jakub Mensik in what could be the match of the round for true connoisseurs of top young talents. Ons Jabeur and Frances Tiafoe finalise the session.
Over on Stadium 1 though, it is Caroline Wozniacki facing off against Donna Vekic to end the Day Session and the Night Session is all about the defending champions. Carlos Alcaraz will take on Matteo Arnaldi. Doubts will still swell about the Spaniard after injuries during the European Clay Court swing. But can Arnaldi smell an opportunity time will tell.
Defending champions but with question marks?
While it could've been Paula Badosa facing Elena Rybakina in a battle of Indian Wells champions. But with the former withdrawing, it was Nadia Podoroska that stepped up and will now face the defending champion. Another with question marks mainly due to her having a GNI illness (Stomach flu) before the tournament and last year she went similarly to top form to struggling to even contend. So both defending champions go in with something to prove perhaps.
Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are among other highlights on further courts, Day Three is upon us and you cannot escape the top action.
FRIDAY Order of Play - 2024 Indian Wells Open
Stadium 1
Thanasi Kokkinakis v Jannik Sinner
Danielle Collins v Iga Swiatek
Caroline Wozniacki v Donna Vekic
Matteo Arnaldi v Carlos Alcaraz
Elena Rybakina v Nadia Podoroska
Stadium 2
Jelena Ostapenko v Angelique Kerber
Andrey Rublev v Andy Murray
Ben Shelton v Jakub Mensik
Katie Volynets v Ons Jabeur
Frances Tiafoe v Dusan Lajovic
Stadium 3
Taro Daniel v Alex de Minaur
Alexander Zverev v Christopher O'Connell
Lucas Pouille v Stefanos Tsitsipas
Beatriz Haddad Maia v Rebecca Sramkova
Madison Keys v Hailey Baptiste