2022 could not have started better for Rafael Nadal. After five months of inactivity due to foot surgery, Nadal is an undefeated 15-0. And of course, he made tennis history in Melbourne by becoming the first man to win 21 Major singles titles, surpassing his rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. He’s now going for his first Indian Wells title since 2013, and starts against a promising young American, Sebastian Korda.
Also in action will be the new World No.1 Daniil Medvedev, as well as 2018 champion Naomi Osaka. And six months following her thrilling run to the US Open finals, and just a week after a title run in Monterrey, Leylah Fernandez faces another promising young American, Amanda Anisimova.
Other names on Saturday’s compelling schedule include Aryna Sabalenka, Carlos Alcaraz, Denis Shapovalov, and Victoria Azarenka, as well as both defending singles champions: Paula Badosa and Cam Norrie.
Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Saturday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Rafael Nadal (4) vs. Sebastian Korda – Second on Stadium 1
Two years ago at Roland Garros, Korda made his Major breakthrough, advancing to the fourth round. That’s where he ran into his idol, as Rafa taught Sebi a harsh lesson in the form of a score line of 6-1, 6-1, 6-2. And judging by the way Nadal has started this season, he’ll be a considerable favorite again on this day. However, 18 months after their first meeting, I expect Korda to put up a much bigger fight, and not be as overwhelmed by the occasion. And playing best-of-three on a hard court, rather than best-of-five on clay, vastly increases his chances against the King of Clay. The 21-year-old scored a solid straight-set win on Thursday over Thanasi Kokkikakis, his second victory over the Australian in as many months. But a confident, in-form Nadal should still advance rather comfortably.
Leylah Fernandez vs. Amanda Anisimova – Not Before 6:00pm on Stadium 2
Last October at this event, Fernandez lost a heartbreaker to Shelby Rogers in a third-set tiebreak. That was her first three-set loss since prior to her amazing fortnight in New York, where she claimed four consecutive three-setters against stiff competition (Osaka, Kerber, Svitolina, Sabalenka). Anisimova had a tremendous start to the year, winning a tune-up title in Melbourne, and upsetting both Belinda Bencic and Naomi Osaka at the Australian. Amanda was playing excellently since she began working with Darren Cahill. However, he abruptly left her camp just days ago. As reported by Ben Rothenberg, Cahill informed Anisimova he was burnt out after enduring some long quarantines last year while traveling to Australia, and needs a break from the tour. A sudden change to a budding yet successful partnership can be rattling. And considering Fernandez is on a five-match winning streak, I like her chances to prevail.
Other Notable Matches on Saturday:
Daniil Medvedev (1) vs. Tomas Machac (Q) – Medvedev has won 11 of his last 13 matches, with his two losses coming at the hands of Nadal. Machac is a 21-year-old from the Czech Republic who won a Challenger title to start the year.
Carlos Alcaraz (19) vs. Mackie McDonald – Since leaving Indian Wells last October, Alcaraz has gone 18-3, with two titles. McDonald is a native Californian who recently debuted inside the top 50, and was the champion in Washington last August.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) vs. Jack Sock (WC) – Tsitsipas has not won a title since last May, though his 14-5 record this year is pretty solid considering the elbow injury he’s battled of late. Sock is a former top 10 player who was recently ranked as low as 345th in the world. Jack reached the semifinals here five years ago.
Veronika Kudermetova (21) vs. Naomi Osaka (WC) – Osaka overcame Sloane Stephens in the opening round. Kudermetova has already reached two finals this season, receiving walkovers during both of those runs, the first of which was an Osaka withdrawal in a Melbourne tune-up event.
Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.
