Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
Tommy Paul vs Casper Ruud: Indian Wells Masters – Quarterfinal
Tommy Paul and Casper Ruud will face each other in the Indian Wells quarterfinal.
Tommy Paul Profile
Tommy Paul is 17th in the ATP rankings, five spots lower than his career high. The American is 13-4 for the season and 9-4 on hard surfaces.
He has been perfect so far in the tournament, beating Luca Nardi, Ugo Humbert, and Alex Michelsen all in straight sets.
Earlier this season, Paul won the tournament in Dallas, defeating Marcos Giron in the final, and the following week, he lost the final in Delray Beach to Taylor Fritz.
This is his fifth appearance in Indian Wells and the first quarterfinal.
Casper Ruud Profile
The former world No. 2 Casper Ruud is currently ninth in the ATP rankings. The Norwegian is 16-4 for the season and 15-4 on hard surface.
He is coming of a three-set win over Gael Monfils in the round of 16 match. Previously, Ruud defeated Arthur Fils and Lucas Klein in straight sets.
In the previous two weeks, Ruud lost in back-to-back finals, against Alex de Minaur in Acapulco and against Jordan Thompson in Los Cabos.
This is his sixth appearance in Indian Wells and the first quarterfinal.
Head-to-Head Ruud leads 4-1
- Ruud vs Paul 7-6, 6-2 (2023 Laver Cup)
- Ruud vs Paul 7-6, 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, 6-0 (2022 US Open, third round)
- Ruud vs Paul 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 7-5 (2021 Australian Open, second round)
- Ruud vs Paul 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 (2020 French Open, second round)
- Paul vs Ruud 3-6, 7-5, 3-0 (2017 ATP Washington, first round)
Prediction and Conclusion
Both players are having a solid week, and this is the first time in their respective careers to reach the quarterfinal stage in Indian Wells. Both of them have seen a slight drop in the standings compared to where they were last season, but they seem ready to boost their form. Ruud is the better overall player, and he has won four of the previous five matches against Paul. Both players have a similar style of play, which will make this match interesting, but no matter how hard Paul tries, Ruud will advance quite easily.
