Third time was the charm! Day three’s Acca delivered our first results in Indian Wells – let’s see if we can sprinkle a little lucky desert magic on Day 4’s picks!
Rafael Nadal v Sebastian Korda
Come on. Who wouldn’t pick Nadal at the moment – this is one of the best starts to a season the Spaniard has had, but he is up against a definite one to watch for the future. While Seb Korda’s golfing sisters Nelly and Jessica are tearing up the golf-world rankings, baby bruv is not doing too badly either, although last time he came up against Rafael Nadal, in the fourth round of the French Open, he was schooled – but it was at the end of a remarkable run through qualies to get to the R16.
Nadal (1/6) is the man of the moment – and the best pick to kick this acca off.
Denis Shapovalov v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Actually this might be a bit more risky as we cast our gaze on another couple of whippersnappers. Canadian tennis is on the up with Shapovalov front and centre of the team that won the ATP Cup at the start of the year.
Davidovich Fokina had to fight his way into this round, and the Spaniard is quite fond of chucking himself around the court in a distinctly Becker-esque style – but he gives it his all.
It is a tricky opener for Shapovalov (4/9) but the prospect of him having to face Nadal in a couple of rounds’ time after losing his rag at the Spaniard’s time-keeping is too good to miss out on!
Daria Saville v Ons Jabeur
The feisty Aussie has her eye on taking down last year’s semi-finalist and on reaching the third round for the fourth consecutive time – and with qualifying under her belt, she stands a good chance to take the battle to Jabeur. the Tunisian really enjoyed her breakout season last year, and deservedly so but injury issues ruled her out of the Australian Open – although she has been pretty consistent with three straight quarter-finals in her three tournaments this season.
But the price for Saville (4/1) is an attractive long-shot for what would be a decent acca for today.
