Former ATP pro Sam Querrey has chosen Tommy Paul as his pick for Indian Wells over fellow Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz. In his latest appearance on the Tennis Channel show, Querrey was joined by former tennis pros, and they all made their picks for the best-performing American player in the Indian Wells Open.
Querrey explained his choice by saying a healthy Paul can be the most dangerous player on court at the Masters 1000 event in California. Furthermore, he added that Paul has regained his form with a decent run on the Australian swing and is performing well in the subsequent ATP events.
“Tommy’s clearly eager to get himself back in the mix after losing ground to Fritz and Shelton in the back half of 2025. Back to full health in Australia, he played great to reach the second week and gave Carlos Alcaraz all he could handle over three close sets in the fourth round. If he’s healthy and playing well, he just may be the most dangerous American man in the field,” Querrey said.
Brett Haber backed Querrey’s analysis, and he, too, rallied behind Paul to be the best-performing American in Indian Wells.
“After struggling with injuries for much of last season, Paul seems to be back at full strength with a strong start to 2026. His Delray Beach win over Taylor Fritz—the only American man to win Indian Wells since Andre Agassi in 2001—was certainly a statement about his readiness to return to the Top 10—and beyond,” Haber said.
Bouchard and Monroe Backed Ben Shelton Instead of Tommy Paul
Former tennis pros Eugenie Bouchard and Nick Monroe went the other way, backing the reigning Dallas Open champion Ben Shelton to be the best-performing American player at Indian Wells, California.
“The evolution of his game has been so impressive, and he often plays his best at the biggest events. With Indian Wells looking like the biggest U.S. tournament behind the US Open itself, Tennis Paradise is an ideal stage for Shelton, who already won a first Masters 1000 title in Canada last summer,” Bouchard said.
“He’s my pick to make a run due to the tournament’s unique combination of surface speed. The way the ball can jump and zip in these conditions should help Shelton’s already-phenomenal lefty serve be even more dangerous—and encourage him to come forward more often,” Monroe said.
The main draw of the maiden ATP Masters 1000 event of the year in Indian Wells will begin on Monday. So far, there have been no withdrawal announcements; therefore, it is expected to be a highly competitive event with some big clashes on the cards in the coming week.
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