Combined, they hold a career Grand Slam. On Tuesday in Indian Wells, three-time Major champion Angelique Kerber and 2020 Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek will square off in a first-time meeting between two of the WTA’s most dynamic players.
That’s just one of eight women’s singles matchups on Tuesday, as all 16 players into the fourth round will take the court. In another high profile clash, defending champion Paula Badosa will face US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
On the ATP side, third round singles action concludes on Tuesday. It is highlighted by a rematch of a stirring encounter from last year’s US Open between Andrey Rublev and Frances Tiafoe. Other third round men’s singles matches include Matteo Berrettini, Diego Schwartzman, and Grigor Dimitrov.
Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Tuesday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Iga Swiatek (3) vs. Angelique Kerber (15) – Second on Stadium 1
Swiatek leads the WTA tour with 16 match wins this season. The Doha champion is on a seven-match win streak, and has already come back from a set down twice this tournament. Kerber also had to mount a comeback to advance this far, against Qinwen Zheng two rounds ago. But on Sunday night, she easily overcame Daria Kasatkina by a score of 6-2, 6-1. Angie was winless in 2022 prior to this fortnight, losing her opening matches at both the Australian Open and Doha. She is vying to reach the quarterfinals of this event for the fourth straight time. But beating a confident, in-form Iga is a tall task. Swiatek has quickly developed into one of the sport’s best problem solvers, and should be able to outhit the 2019 runner-up.
Andrey Rublev (7) vs. Frances Tiafoe (28) – Last on Stadium 1
Six months ago in New York, these two battled it out for five sets across four hours, and until 2:14am. I’ve previously described Frances as the “late night delight” based on how he excels under the lights, and amidst the energy of night session crowds. He started that trend last March in Miami, and continued it with his five-set victory over Rublev in New York. Perhaps he will now do so at another of his country’s biggest events, as this match just happens to be the last one of the evening on Stadium 1. Tiafoe only went 1-3 in Australia to start the year, and has been battling an elbow injury. But he appeared pretty healthy in his opening round win over fellow American Brandon Nakashima on Sunday. By contrast, Rublev has been on fire to begin 2022. He’s 15-2 on the year, and is on a ten-match win streak, which includes back-to-back titles in Marseille and Dubai. Based on recent form, Andrey is a considerable favorite to avenge his painful loss from New York. However, don’t count out Frances during an American night session.
Other Notable Matches on Tuesday:
Matteo Berrittini (6) vs. Lloyd Harris (30) – Berrettini survived a stern test from 18-year-old Holger Rune on Sunday. Two years ago at the French Open, the Italian defeated Harris in four sets.
Diego Schwartzman (14) vs. John Isner (23) – Their only previous match was five years ago on an indoor hard court in Bercy, where Isner prevailed 6-3 in the third.
Paula Badosa (5) vs. Leylah Fernandez (18) – Badosa played a marathon first set Monday night against friend and doubles partner Sara Sorribes Tormo, before prevailing in straights. Fernandez required three sets late Monday to get past Shelby Rogers. When Paula and Leylah played two years ago in Auckland, the Spaniard won after two tight sets.
Alexander Bublik (31) vs. Grigor Dimitrov (33) – Bublik eliminated Andy Murray in the last round. He is 2-1 against Dimitrov, though Grigor claimed their last meeting last August in Cincinnati. Dimitrov was a semifinalist here last October.
Tuesday’s full Order of Play is here.
