16 first-round matches are scheduled on Day 2 of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. This article features recently crowned Delray Beach Open champion Sebastian Korda, who will take on Francisco Comesana of Argentina. As always, we at LWOT will predict all the matches on the slate, but who will advance?

ATP Indian Wells Day 2 Predictions
Rinky Hijikata vs Francesco Maestrelli

Head-to-Head: first meeting

A match between two qualifiers who find themselves at similar rankings but are at different phases of their career. Rinky Hijikata is looking to get back to the level he played in 2023 and 2024, while Francesco Maestrelli is making his main draw debut at the BNP Paribas Open. Hijikata is more solid from the baseline and will scramble for each point. However, Maestrelli’s forehand and better serve give him the edge in firepower. It should be a close encounter, but my prediction is in favour of the Australian.

Prediction: Hijikata in 3

Nuno Borges vs Emilio Nava

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Nuno Borges has lost his way after a solid start to the season in Hong Kong and is on a five-match losing streak, his worst since the end of 2023. However, he has the game to make some noise here, and it all comes down to how well he can apply himself. Emilio Nava is making his first main draw appearance in Indian Wells and should get good support. But would that be enough to beat a much more experienced player who is hungry for victory? I don’t think so.

Prediction: Borges in 3

Sebastian Baez vs Chun-Hsin Tseng

Head-to-Head: Baez 1-0 Tseng

Sebastian Baez made a dream start to his 2026 season and won seven matches in a row to surprise many in the tennis world. However, he has cooled down a bit and couldn’t replicate his performance on his best surface of clay. He is still playing decent tennis and should enjoy the slower conditions here. Chun-Hsin Tseng will have to play out of his skin to breach the defenses of the Argentine.

Prediction: Baez in 2

Sebastian Korda vs Francisco Comesana

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Sebastian Korda is playing some great tennis, and the title in Delray Beach must have given him a lot of confidence. However, he won’t be super excited to see Alex de Minaur waiting for the winner of this match. It will be difficult for Francisco Comesana to adapt from clay to hard against a top-quality opponent, and I predict a straight-sets victory for the American player.

Prediction: Korda in 2

Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images