Although seeded players do not play until round two, there are some intriguing first-round matches on Thursday’s Indian Wells schedule. Among them are Alejandro Tabilo vs. Rafael Jodar and Hubert Hurkacz vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Alejandro Tabilo vs. (WC) Rafael Jodar
It will be a battle between two players in stellar form when Tabilo and Jodar square off for the first time in their careers during first-round action at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday. Tabilo has already won 16 matches in 2026 (10 in the main draws of ATP tournaments), including a runner-up performance in Rio de Janeiro. Jodar is 27-7 in his last 34 matches across all levels dating back to last October.
Tabilo is coming off a huge effort on the Golden Swing. In addition to his Rio final, the 40th-ranked Chilean also advanced to quarterfinals in Buenos Aires and Santiago. If you count Dallas qualifying, Jodar has won at least one match at all five of his events this season. Conditions in Indian Wells are just about ideal for Tabilo, but they should also be pretty much perfect for the 19-year-old Spaniard. Expect a high-quality contest, with a slight edge going to a more rested Jodar.
Pick: Jodar in 3
Hubert Hurkacz vs. Aleksandar Kovacevic
Hurkacz and Kovacevic will also be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers on Thursday. Since coming out of the 2026 gates like gangbusters, things have gone downhill in a big way for Hurkacz. The 71st-ranked Pole led his country to the United Cup title by going 4-1 in singles with victories over Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Tallon Griekspoor, and Stan Wawrinka, but he now takes a four-matches losing streak into Tennis Paradise.
Kovacevic has been all over the place this season — both literally and figuratively. The 72nd-ranked American kicked off his February swing on European indoor hard courts (Montpellier) and then played in Dallas, Delray Beach, and Acapulco. Kovacevic started the year strong with a semifinal showing in Brisbane, but he is 4-8 in his last 12 matches. The 27-year-old is a hopeless 0-4 lifetime in Indian Wells (0-3 in the main draw), so Hurkacz should have the edge in this one.
Pick: Hurkacz in 2