Indian Wells 2023: Alexander Zverev vs Emil Ruusuvuori preview, head-to-head & prediction | BNP Paribas Open

Fixture: (12) Alexander Zverev vs Emil Ruusuvuori

Date: Monday, March 13, 2023

Tournament: BNP Paribas Open

Round: Third round (Round of 32)

Venue: Indian Wells, California, USA

Category: ATP Masters 1000

Surface: Outdoor hardcourt

Prize money: $8,800,000

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video

---

Alexander Zverev vs Emil Ruusuvuori preview

Zverev is looking for his first title of the year.

12th seed Alexander Zverev will take on Emil Ruusuvuori on Monday (March 13) for a place in the fourth round of Indian Wells.

The 14th-ranked Zverev is 7-7 on the season after opening his campaign at the first Masters 1000 event of the year with a straight-set win over Pedro Cachin. The 25-year-old is coming off a run to the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships last week, losing to defending champion Andrey Rublev.

Earlier, Zverev made the second round at the Australian Open (losing to Michael Mmoh) and Rotterdam (losing to Tallon Griekspoor) before falling in the Doha first round to eventual finalist Andy Murray. The German - 9-6 at Indian Wells - is into the third round for the third round, having previously done so in 2016 (lost to Rafael Nadal in the fourth round) and 2021 (lost to Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinals).

Meanwhile, World No. 59 Ruusuvuori is also 7-7 in 2023 following a pair of wins this week, beating Constant Lestienne and 22nd seed Roberto Bautista Agut. The 23-year-old Finn is coming off opening round exits in Rotterdam (lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas) and Dubai (lost to Christopher O'Connel) either side of a Round of 16 appearance in Doha (lost to Jiri Lehecka).

Russuvuori - 4-2 at Indian Wells - is into the third round at the tournament for the first time in three attempts.

---

Alexander Zverev vs Emil Ruusuvuori head-to-head

Ruusuvuori took the pair's lone previous meeting in the second round at Miami in 2021 in three sets.

---

Alexander Zverev vs Emil Ruusuvuori odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games (over/under)
Alexander Zverev	-275	-1.5 (-110)	Over 21.5 (-120)
Emil Ruusuvuori	+210	+1.5 (-125)	Under 21.5 (-120)

All odds are as per BETMGM.

---

Alexander Zverev vs Emil Ruusuvuori prediction

Ruusuvuori has had an underwhelming season.

Zverev and Ruusuvuori are quintessential baseliners, looking to overwhelm opponents predominantly off the back of the court.

However, the German's big serve and powerful groundstrokes off either flank gives him a distinct edge. Zverev also has a big-game pedigree, having been a regular at the business end of big tournaments. He should take this one.

Prediction: Zverev in straight sets