Scott Kinser/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA) – Photo by Icon sport
Alex Michelsen vs Jaume Munar: Indian Wells Masters – First round
One of the biggest hopes of the American tennis, Alex Michelsen, will face Jaume Munar in the opening round in Indian Wells.
Alex Michelsen Profile
Alex Michelsen is currently 80th in the ATP rankings, seven spots lower than his career high. The 19-year-old is 10-6 for the season and 9-5 on hard surface.
He played his last tournament in Los Cabos, where he reached the quarterfinal, losing to Jordan Thompson 0-6, 7-6, 7-5. Previously, he defeated Alex de Minaur and Corentin Lestienne.
Michelsen made a name for himself by reaching the third round at the Australian Open. He defeated James McCabe and Jiri Lehecka before losing to Alexander Zverev.
This will be his first appearance in the Indian Wells main draw after losing in the qualifiers last year.
Jaume Munar Profile
Jaume Munar is 75th in the ATP rankings, and his career high was No. 52 in the world. The Spaniard is 7-8 for the season and 5-4 on hard surfaces.
Munar is coming off a 6-4 loss to Sebastian Baez in the quarterfinal in Santiago. Previously, he defeated Albert Ramos Vinollas and Bernabe Zapata Miralles.
Earlier this season, Munar also reached the quarterfinals in Cordoba, losing to Facundo Bagnis.
At the Australian Open, Munar defeated Alexander Shevchenko in the opening round before losing to Adrian Mannarino.
This will be his fifth appearance at Indian Wells, and the only time he made it past the opening round was in 2022.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first match between these two players.
Prediction and Conclusion
This is a match between two players with completely different styles of play. Michelsen has a strong serve and tries to finish the points quickly. Munar, on the other hand, prefers playing on clay courts, is used to long points, and is mostly defensively oriented. It will take a couple of games for the players to get familiar with their game, but Michelsen will take control of the match and win it in straight sets.
