The Last 16 begins with Quarter-Finals spots on the line for a myriad of players on Tuesday and the
schedule/order of play has been confirmed at
Indian Wells with the two favourites for the title now that Novak Djokovic has gone in action.
Those being
Carlos Alcaraz and
Jannik Sinner who will now take on the mantle after the Serbian's shocking defeat to Luca Nardi.
Iga Swiatek who leads the WTA draw will also continue her quest with Stadium 2's schedule also looking full of must watch ties. Our preview looks ahead to the latest day of action in Tennis Paradise.
Shelton-Sinner leads schedule in highly anticipated clash
Grab your popcorn and potentially your caffeinated beverage of choice if you're in Europe as two of the most exciting players on the ATP Tour face off to begin the Night Session on Tuesday as
Ben Shelton and Jannik Sinner will do battle.
Shelton has carried hopes for America's next generation and has been steadily improving, albeit he has not been in the same Next Gen conversation as Alcaraz, Sinner or even Rune and will look to make a statement to the contrary on Tuesday. Sinner on the other hand has not lost all year barring a point against a little kid, but he has been imperious and has continued that on. What a game awaits.
Also on Stadium 1, Anastasia Potapova will start off against Jasmine Paolini. The latter being the recent Dubai champion and after losing to Anna Kalinskaya at the Australian Open, she has recently had her number. She defeated her here and now faces the Russian for a spot in the Quarter-Finals. Carlos Alcaraz will do battle with Fabian Marozsan, an interesting one as the Hungarian made a name for himself last year by defeating the Spaniard in Rome. Coming off one of his best games of the season though, Carlitos is finally starting to look like himself.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula also play doubles interspersed between, while concluding the night is World No.1, Iga Swiatek who will face Yulia Putintseva with potentially Kerber or Wozniacki awaiting.
Zverev-De Minaur and Wozniacki v Kerber - will it happen?
Out on Stadium 2 are two games in particular that catch the eye. It all starts with Stefanos Tsitsipas who faces young Czech ace, Jiri Lehecka. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova follows up against Marta Kostyuk.
But the intrigue comes from the next two ties as
Alexander Zverev will face one of the most in-form players on the ATP Tour this season in Alex de Minaur. Winning multiple titles and being similar to Jannik Sinner in the imperious stakes, it is a battle which certainly catches the eye.
As does
Angelique Kerber facing off against Caroline Wozniacki. But that match is a very big if. Wozniacki was seen limping and in distress and while she hasn't withdrawn yet from the tournament, it could be a matter of time or it could be a potential issue to look out for. If Kerber does get a walkover or an easy win, it could be Iga Swiatek next and so by the time the Pole takes to the court, she will know her opponent. But for German hopes at least, a big night is incoming.
Schedule Indian Wells Open (all times local)
Stadium 1
11 a.m.: Anastasia Potapova vs. Jasmine Paolini
Not before 1 p.m.: Fabian Marozsan vs. Carlos Alcaraz
Followed by: Coco Gauff/Jessica Pegula vs. Asia Muhammad/Ena Shibahara or Gabriela Dabrowski/Erin Routliffe
6 p.m.: Ben Shelton vs. Jannik Sinner
Followed by: Iga Swiatek vs. Yulia Putintseva
Stadium 2
11 a.m.: Jiri Lehecka vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Not before 1 p.m.: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs. Marta Kostyuk
Followed by: Alexander Zverev vs. Alex De Minaur
6 p.m.: Angelique Kerber vs. Caroline Wozniacki
Followed by: Wesley Koolhof/Nikola Mektic vs. Ivan Dodig/Austin Krajicek
Stadium 3
1 p.m.: Nicolas Mahut/Edouard Roger-Vasselin vs. Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos
Followed by: Nathaniel Lammons/Jackson Withrow vs. Simone Bolleli/Andrea Vavassori
Followed by: Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz or Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic vs. Lloyd Glasspool/Jean-Julien Rojer
6 p.m.: Beatriz Haddad Maia/Taylor Townsend vs. Storm Hunter/Katerina Siniakova