Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Indian Wells Masters match.
Karen Khachanov aims to reach the fourth round of this tournament for the first time since 2019, while Ben Shelton will look to capitalise on home support and reinforce his status as a top-15 player.
Karen Khachanov
Khachanov, currently ranked 23rd in the world, has endured a disappointing start to 2025 with just four wins and five defeats. His previous match against Jakub Menšík was far from convincing, as he dropped the opening set (3:6) before regaining control (6:0, 6:3). The Russian’s powerful serve remains his biggest asset, averaging 6.8 aces per match over his last eight encounters. However, he has struggled against top-tier opponents, losing 17 of his last 29 matches against top-20 players.
Ben Shelton
Shelton, on the other hand, has started 2025 in strong form, reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open. He opened his Indian Wells campaign with a win over Mariano Navone (6:3, 6:2), conserving energy for the later rounds. The American’s aggressive style, built around a booming serve and high-tempo attacks, makes him especially dangerous on hard courts. With seven wins in his first ten matches on this surface in 2025, he looks well-positioned to challenge here.
Karen Khachanov vs Ben Shelton Prediction
With superior physicality, home-court advantage, and better form in recent months, Shelton has the edge in this contest. Expect the American to secure victory.
