Carlos Alcaraz defeats Daniil Medvedev to defend his Indian Wells title, Iga Swiatek beats Maria Sakkari for women's title

It’s unfortunate for both of these Americans that they meet so early in one of their country’s premier events. Each of them, if things break their way, could conceivably go deep in Indian Wells, but only one of them can.

All three of their previous matches happened in 2021, and Nakashima won two of then. Surprisingly, though, it’s the 37-year-old Isner who has had the better results—or result, anyway—in 2023. Last month, he made the final in Dallas, and was a point from the title. Nakashima, on the other hand, is just 1-3 this season. That’s not what anyone expected from a 21-year-ld who closed out 2022 with an impressive title run at the Next Gen Finals.

Nakashima has the better ground strokes, especially from the backhand side, and his legs are 16 years younger. But Isner still has his serve. Winner: Isner

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Parks started February off by picking up her first tour-level trophy in Lyon.

Alycia Parks vs. Anna Kalinskaya

Parks and Kalinskaya have never played, which isn’t surprising considering how brief Park’s career has been thus far. Otherwise, though, the Russian and the Floridian have a lot in common. Kalinskaya is 24 years old and 5-foot 9; her current ranking is No. 60, and her career high is No. 51. Parks is 22 years old and 6-foot 1; her current ranking is No. 55, and her career high is No. 50.

The most significant difference is that Parks has a title to her name, which she won over Caroline Garcia in Lyon earlier this year. There she showed an ability to play at a level that Kalinskaya has never reached. Will being in the States inspire Parks, or make her nervous? She has the bigger game on the right day, but it may not be the steadier game quite yet. Winner: Kalinskaya

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Yibing Wu vs. Jaume Munar

Wu made perhaps the most entertaining splash of the season with his surprise title run in Dallas last month. The oft-injured 23-year-old became the first Chinese man in the Open era to win an ATP tournament, a jaw-dropping fact. More exciting still is his ball-striking; it’s clean and aggressive, and he takes the ball as soon as possible from both sides. In Dallas he beat Shapovalov and Fritz, and saved match points against Isner in the final. But he hasn’t played since. We’ll see if he can pick up where he left off against Munar, a steady Spaniard who will make him a lot of balls. Winner: Wu

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