Alexander Zverev vs Alex de Minaur Tips and Preview – A Mercurial Clash That Can Go Either Way

Sixth seed Alexander Zverev will face tenth seed Alex De Minaur in a high-intensity clash in the fourth round of the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Tuesday.

Alexander Zverev has been playing top-level tennis since returning to the tour last year after suffering a heartbreaking ligament injury in the 2022 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal. The German started 2024 on a high after a title-winning run at the United Cup in January. The World No. 6 also made the semifinals at the Los Cabos Open and the Australian Open. He has won 11 of his 15 tour-level matches so far this year.

Alex De Minaur is also having a stellar season in 2024. The Australian is currently on a seven-match unbeaten streak, which he looks to extend on Tuesday as he takes on the World No. 6. De Minaur also picked up the ATP 500 title in Acapulco by defeating the 2023 French Open finalist Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-4. He also made it to the final of the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, where World No. 3 Jannik Sinner bested him. 

The two have clashed eight times so far on the tour, with Zverev leading the head-to-head by 6-2. However, De Minaur’s superior form this season, with a win-loss record of 15-4, might just add another win to his tally on Tuesday. The last time these two met in January in the United Cup, the Australian bested Zverev in a comeback victory after dropping the first set.

Zverev came to Indian Wells on the back of a disappointing first-round exit at the Mexican Open. However, he is in good form after making short work of Christopher O’Connell and Tallon Griekspoor in the second and third rounds. De Minaur has secured comfortable wins in the previous two rounds against Taro Daniel and Alexander Bublik. 

Given his current form, the bookies are in favour of the Australian closing his head-to-head gap against Zverev in their round-of-16 clash at Indian Wells. Though Zverev is playing amazing tennis and will give a big fight, the odds are in favour of De Minaur extending his unbeaten run to eight games.