One would think that there is absolutely no way Taylor Fritz will lift the Indian Wells title on Sunday. Especially because he’s up against Rafael Nadal, arguably the best tennis player that ever lived, the holder of 21 Grand Slam titles, and currently on a 20-0 start to the 2022 season. However, after two tough three set matches against Nick Kyrgios in the quarters and rising upstart Carlos Alcaraz in the semis, does he have anything left in the tank?

In both those matches there were stretches where Nadal seemed to lack a bit of energy only to furiously turn the match around. Obviously, we’re talking about Nadal, who is still in incredible shape and can probably withstand a six-hour match on any given day. That is of course if that “any given day” didn’t have the fact that he’s still just coming back from a foot injury that saw him take about six months off the tour. Also, there have been some rumors that the foot is not exactly at 100%. 

Fritz will need to have a lot of patience on Sunday if he wants any chance at beating Nadal. He will need to hang in those crazy long rallies where Nadal is turning defense into offense on a dime. He will need to expect Nadal to look ordinary in one game and like 21 Grand Slam champion in the next. Fritz needs to stay focused and hit his forehand with confidence.  The longer this contest lasts, the more of a chance Fritz will have to beat Nadal. Unfortunately for Fritz, I think Nadal is currently playing at another level. Kyrgios and Alcaraz are two players that are in amazing form and can beat pretty much anyone not named Nadal or Medvedev. Fritz doesn’t have the weapons those two players have. 

There is an outside chance for Fritz, however the odds on favorite is Rafael Nadal.