A blockbuster fourth-round battle between Jannik Sinner and Joao Fonseca headlines Tuesday’s order of play at the Indian Wells Masters. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Learner Tien are also aiming for the quarterfinals.
Joao Fonseca vs. (2) Jannik Sinner
Sinner and Fonseca will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round four of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday. Fonseca’s first appearance in the last 16 of a Masters 1000 event is well deserved. Unseeded, the 19-year-old Brazilian has already won three matches in the desert — over Raphael Collignon, Karen Khachanov (from two match points down), and Tommy Paul.
Following a bye, Sinner erased both Dalibor Svrcina and Denis Shapovalov in lightning-quick fashion. The second-ranked Italian should be playing extremely inspired tennis. This is a tournament he has never won and missed last season, plus he is looking to rebound from a relatively slow start to his 2026 campaign. Although Fonseca played at an incredible level against Paul on Sunday night, there were some minor injury concerns. But even if he is 100 percent, the world No. 35’s first meeting with Sinner probably won’t go well.
Pick: Sinner in 2
(25) Learner Tien vs. (18) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Davidovich Fokina and Tien will be squaring off for the second time in their careers after the Spaniard cruised 6-2, 6-2 last summer in Washington, D.C. The rematch should be more competitive since Tien has several more months of productive experience under his belt, but it’s another one that should favor Davidovich Fokina. Indian Wells conditions are ideal for the world No. 19 and he is coming off a very good three-set win over 2025 Miami champion Jakub Mensik.
Tien did not play particularly well on Sunday and needed three tight sets to beat a significantly hampered Ben Shelton. Although the 20-year-old American is always dangerous, he would prefer faster and lower-bouncing conditions than what he is experiencing in the desert. This should be one of the best fourth-round contests, with the edge going to Davidovich Fokina.
Pick: Davidovich Fokina in 3