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Match Details
Fixture: (14) Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler
Date: Sunday, March 12, 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
Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler preview
Fourteenth seed Frances Tiafoe will battle Australian Jason Kubler on Sunday (March 12) in the third round at Indian Wells.
The 16th-ranked Tiafoe improved to 11-3 on the season with a straight-sets win over Marcos Giron in his tournament opener. Earlier, the 25-year-old made the quarterfinals in Acapulco (lost to Taylor Fritz) and Dallas (lost to J.J. Wolf) after making the third round at the Australian Open (lost to Karen Khachanov).
Tiafoe is into the third round at Indian Wells for the third straight year after three straight first-round exits.
Meanwhile, World No. 75 Kubler is making his Indian Wells main draw debut. He improved to 7-3 in 2023 with a pair of wins this week, beating Lorenzo Sonego and 21st seed Grigor Dimitrov.
Earlier, Kubler started the year with two wins at the inaugural United Cup before reaching the second round at the Adelaide International 2 and the Australian Open. After making the quarterfinals at the Manama Challenger, the Australian made the Round of 16 at the Qatar Open in Doha.
Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler head-to-head
Tiafoe took his lone meeting with Kubler in the US Open second round last year, winning in straight sets en route to the semifinals. Their head-to-head, therefore, stands 1-0 in favor of the American.
Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler odds
All odds as per BETMGM
Frances Tiafoe vs Jason Kubler prediction
Kubler, the reigning Australian Open doubles champion, has had a good start to the year in singles too. The 29-year-old is a decent player, especially on hardcourts, where his steady serve, movement and groundstrokes tend to keep him in good stead.
However, Tiafoe is clearly the better of the two players in the singles arena. The American entered the top 20 after making his maiden Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open last year.
The 25-year-old is a powerful hitter off either flank, serves big, and is an excellent mover. In other words, he should have enough in his arsenal to end Kubler's inspired run in the Californian desert en route to the fourth round for the first time.
Prediction: Tiafoe in straight sets
