Serena will have her second consecutive tough opponent in her Indian Wells draw. Roger and Rafa will both make their 2019 Indian Wells debuts in very winnable matches. And Novak Djokovic will take part in a doubles match that you could likely only see at Indian Wells.
Serena Williams (10) vs. Garbine Muguruza
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Their sixth meeting will be the first time they’ve ever played outside of a Major. Serena holds a 3-2 edge, with Muguruza’s only two victories coming on the terra baute of Roland Garros. Their other most memorable match was the 2015 Wimbledon final, which Serena won in straight sets. Serena is coming off a stellar victory over a very game Victoria Azarenka on Friday night, so she should be sharp for this Sunday afternoon encounter. Meanwhile Muguruza has really struggled with her confidence of late. She hasn’t won a title, or even advanced to a final for that matter, since taking the trophy in Monterrey almost a year ago. Also, Garbine has almost as many losses as wins in her career at Indian Wells. Muguruza is capable of defeating anyone when she’s on, but the evidence shows Serena is the favorite here.
Novak Djokovic and Fabio Fognini vs. Rohan Bopanna and Denis Shapovalov
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With this tournament spread over the span of two weeks, it’s a rare occasion where many singles players enter the doubles draws. The result is a unique and exciting matchup such as this. We have a 15-time Major singles champion teaming with one of the biggest characters on tour, who is an accomplished singles and doubles player. Their opponents are a 39-year-old doubles specialist, and a 19-year-old who rarely plays doubles. Of course neither duo has any history as a team, but both had strong victories in their opening rounds. Djokovic and Fognini took out another makeshift team of singles players in Milos Raonic and Jeremy Chardy, while Bopanna and Shapovalov upset the No.2 seeds, Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares. Obviously Bopanna and Shapovalov have quickly clicked as a team based on that win over one of the ATP’s best and longest-standing teams. But Djokovic and Fognini are both top 20 singles players who are far from uncomfortable on the doubles court. Novak and Fabio are also two of the tour’s greatest showmen, and they’ll be eager to entertain what will surely be a packed house for the last match of the day on Stadium 2.
Other notable matches on Day 7
- Rafael Nadal (2) vs. American Wild Card Jared Donaldson, who is coming off a long injury lay-off
- Simona Halep (2) vs. Kateryna Kozlova, a 25-year-old from the Ukraine
- Roger Federer (4) vs. Peter Gojowczyk, a veteran from Germany
- Elise Mertens (16), the champion in Doha just a few weeks ago, vs. Qiang Wang (18), who is at a career-high ranking thanks to 27 match wins over the past six months
