Paul and Medvedev Prepare for High-Stakes Rematch at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California — A thrilling rematch is set for Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open as American Tommy Paul takes on Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in a fourth-round clash. This match is particularly significant as it marks the second time the players have met at Indian Wells, following last year’s intense semifinal matchup.

In 2024, Paul, ranked No. 11, was just four points away from his first Masters 1000 final before a left ankle injury halted his momentum. After securing the first set and leading in the second-set tiebreaker, he twisted his ankle, allowing Medvedev to recover and ultimately win the match 1-6, 7-6(3), 6-2. Medvedev praised Paul’s performance despite the unfortunate injury, stating, “Tommy just showed everyone how to beat me, how to play on the lines, full power.”

Two months later, Paul faced Medvedev again, this time eliminating him in the round of 16 at the Rome Masters with a decisive 6-1, 6-4 victory. Despite that win, Medvedev holds a 3-1 overall record against Paul, making this upcoming match a chance for Paul to assert himself further on home soil.

Paul, who has won four ATP titles and made his Top 10 debut in January, remains focused on climbing the rankings. “I’m going back to work… just trying to improve on everything a little bit, to try and move up the rankings even more,” he told Tennis Channel after a recent win over Cameron Norrie.

His coach, Brad Stine, believes Paul has the potential to achieve more in the sport, saying, “There are still a lot of things within the sport that he hasn’t been able to accomplish yet… he hasn’t won a Masters 1000 – I think he’s capable of doing that.”

Meanwhile, Medvedev, a two-time runner-up at the BNP Paribas Open and currently ranked No. 6, is looking to turn his season around after struggling to reach finals in recent events. “I definitely expect a great match,” he said. “He beat me in a good fashion in Rome, and here it was a crazy match at Indian Wells [last year].” Medvedev indicated that he finds their playing styles particularly challenging against one another, making this rematch even more anticipated.

Both players are expected to bring their best to the court, as they also aim to secure a spot in the final as leading contenders in their draw. With the stakes high, fans can anticipate a gripping battle in Tennis Paradise.