It will be an all-Canadian affair as Felix Auger-Aliassime faces countryman Gabriel Diallo on Sunday at the Indian Wells Masters. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will also be in third-round action against Jakub Mensik.
(9) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Gabriel Diallo
Gabriel Diallo has some potential. He is a relatively late bloomer; he is one year younger than fellow Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime but has only just started coming into his own. The world No. 38 endured a horrific start to the season in 2026. His third-round showing this week is by far his best result of the season. Diallo came into Indian Wells with a 2-6 match record for 2026.
Conversely, Auger-Aliassime has been on fire. He has made two finals and a semifinal since he crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round. His opponent’s potential notwithstanding, the world No. 9 should pocket this win fairly routinely.
Cheryl pick: Auger-Aliassime in 2
Ricky pick: Auger-Aliassime in 2
(12) Jakub Mensik vs. (18) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
This is one of those surprising head-to-head statistics that feels like it shouldn’t be true but is; Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is 4-1 against Jakub Mensik. It’s not really surprising that Davidovich Fokina has four wins, but more that it’s so lopsided. Mensik is quite a good player who is capable of inspiring play on occasion. Yet he has lost to the Spaniard four times in a row.
Honestly, it doesn’t seem like the record is likely to change in Mensik’s favor this week. ADF was patchy in the first half of his second-round match against Zachary Svajda, but the Spaniard righted the ship in a hurry. Look for this one to go the distance. Both men are good hard-court players and this should prove to be entertaining.
Cheryl pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3