Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek win Indian Wells titles and Stefanos Tsistipas revival continues – our big predictions
The opening few days of the 2025 Indian Wells tournament served up some huge shocks and plenty of talking points – and now the path appears to be clearing for the defending champions.
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek have made an impressive start to their defence of the titles they won last year in ‘Tennis Paradise’ and they will fancy their chances of retaining their titles next weekend.
With world No 1 Jannik Sinner absent due to his doping suspension and top seed Alexander Zverev knocked-out in his first match, the exit of Novak Djokovic has left Alcaraz as the firm favourite in the men’s event.
While most of the top female players are still involved, Swiatek has looked in ominous form as she has powered to wins in her opening two matches.
Here are our big 5 predictions for the crucial end of the Indian Wells ATP 1000 Masters event and the WTA 1000 tournament:
Carlos Alcaraz powering through
We may have a new court surface in Indian Wells for 2025, but Alcaraz’s dominance in Indian Wells shows no sign of waning.
The Spanish superstar relishes playing in the Californian desert and as a firm favourite of the fans, he gets the kind of support American players may expect at this event.
Alcaraz is the player to beat in the men’s draw and he looks well placed to challenge for another title.
Swiatek turning on the power
Defending champion Iga Swiatek dropped just four games in her opening two matches and she appears to have hit peak form in one of her favourite tournaments.
“I feel pretty pumped up, but on the other hand I feel calm,” said Swiatek. “I need to go and be aware in the second set that it can all change. Like, second set is a different story. You know, we start from zero kind of again, so the other player can also get their level up.”
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka will fancy her chances of getting into the final with Swiatek, but she will face a player oozing with confidence if that meeting takes place.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is back
Tsitsipas endured a miserable run of form for almost a year prior to his big win in Dubai earlier this month and the switch appears to have been flicked for the Greek star once again.
His change of racket in Dubai had an instant impact and he has taken that winning form with him to Indian Wells.
With Zverev no longer a factor in the top half of the draw, Tsitsipas is a player to watch.
“I’m approaching these matches with determination and willingness to just leave it all out there on the court,” he said after his classy win against Matteo Berrettini.
“I’ve seen improvements when it comes to my mindset. I just don’t want to take anything for granted. I fight for every single individual match as a different chapter, different story, regardless of what I have done before.
“I just feel like I want to get out there on the court and be a gladiator, and that’s how I approach every single match I get to play.”
Elena Rybakina hitting her stride
Rybakina has created plenty of headlines in recent months, but it was more focused on her activities away from the court with her coach Stefano Vukov banned by the WTA and rumours swirling over the reasons why.
Health issues have also impacted Rybakina’s form, but she has looked to be in good touch in Indian Wells and is talking up her revived ambitions.
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Americans are rising
A glut of American players have burst into the top 50 of the ATP Rankings and they are confirming their class in Indian Wells.
World No 4 Taylor Fritz is the leader of the American pack, with 31-year-old Marcos Giron one of the stories of the opening few days of the tournament as he made it into week two.
Tommy Paul is also looking strong and while American players might not be the favourites to lift the title, look out for one to make it through to the semi-finals.
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