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As the 2023 Indian Wells Masters approaches, the ATP Tour is buzzing with excitement as some of the best players in the world gear up to compete for the prestigious title. Apart from the top-ranked players who are expected to perform well, there are a few lesser-known names who've been making waves on the tour in recent months.
With the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic out of the hardcourt event, young guns Casper Ruud, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz and Holger Rune have a decent chance of making a deep run. Current World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz also seems to be in good shape and will be entering the event on the back of a title-winning run at the Argentina Open and a runner-up finish at the Rio Open.
While the aforementioned in-form players are certainly ones to watch at the 2023 Indian Wells Masters, there are also a few dark horses who have the potential to make a significant impact in the tournament.
On that note, let's take a look at three such players who could stake their claim for the Masters 1000 title in California:
#3 Twinkle-toes Alex de Minaur
Australia's Alex de Minaur has been making waves in the tennis world with his impressive form over the past few months and is definitely a player to watch out for as a potential dark horse for the title at Indian Wells.
The 23-year-old has had a solid season so far, chalking up 16 wins from 20 matches and a title-winning run at the Mexico Open. He also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, but couldn't fend off World No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
The youngster seems determined to make his performances count in 2023 and has made positive changes to his overall game. De Minaur's speed, agility, and consistency make him a tough opponent for any player. He has also improved his serve and is now able to win more free points, which is crucial in the fast-paced hard court matches at Indian Wells.
If the Australian can continue his strong form, he has a great chance to make a deep run and potentially even win the tournament in California. While he may not be one of the top seeds, his recent performances have proven that he has the talent and ability to compete at the highest level.
#2 Jannik Sinner chasing his first Indian Wells Masters title
Jannik Sinner is another player who could potentially be a dark horse for the 2023 Indian Wells title. The Italian is one of the most promising young talents in tennis and has already achieved some impressive results on the ATP Tour.
His breakthrough year came in 2019, when he won the Next Gen ATP Finals and reached the semifinals of the European Open in Antwerp. In 2020, he won his first ATP title at the Sofia Open and reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, defeating higher-ranked players like Alexander Zverev and David Goffin along the way.
Since then, Sinner has continued to impress, reaching eight ATP finals and managing to capture the trophy on six occasions. His most recent triumph came at the Montpellier Open, where he defeated American Maxime Cressy in the finals. The Italian followed it up with another impressive run at the Rotterdam Open and secured a second-place finish, losing out to Daniil Medvedev in the final.
Sinner's game is characterized by his powerful groundstrokes and aggressive style of play. He possesses a big forehand and an efficient backhand, which he uses to hit winners from any part of the court. He's also a swift mover on the tennis court. The youngster maintains a low profile on the ATP tour and critics may not yet favor his chances at big tournaments, but one wouldn't be surprised to see him go the distance and capture the title at the 2023 Indian Wells.
#3 Calm and composed Cameron Norrie
Lastly, Cameron Norrie is another player who could be a dark horse for the 2023 Indian Wells title. Norrie has been in fantastic form over the past year and has climbed up the ATP rankings, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 12 in March 2023.
Norrie's form in 2022 was particularly impressive as he captured the title at the Lyon Open and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. He also reached the fourth round of the US Open, showing that he can compete at the highest level in Grand Slam events.
In 2023, Norrie continued his strong form, amassing 18 wins from 21 matches and a title-winning run at the Rio Open. He also scored second-place finishes at the Auckland Open and the Argentina Open.
The Brit's game is characterized by his solid baseline play and his ability to defend and counterpunch. He also possesses a strong left-handed serve that can trouble his opponents. In addition, Norrie has improved his fitness and mental toughness, which has helped him win close matches in recent tournaments.
If he can continue his impressive form, he could definitely be a dark horse for the Indian Wells title. His solid game and recent results show that he has the ability to beat anyone on his day.
