By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, March 11, 2014

 

Ernests Gulbis and Grigor Dimitrov will meet for the third time in two months on Stadium 2, highlighting a busy day of must-see tennis at Indian Wells.

Photo Source: Tennis Forecast

Two of tennis' rapidly rising stars will clash for the third time in two months on Tuesday at the BNP Paribas Open, and their highly anticipated matchup only scratches the surface of the tennis goodness that we are about to witness on a busy Tuesday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

>>> Monday's Roundup: Dolgopolov Dethrones Nadal | Sharapova Stunned by Qualifier Giorgi | Federer, Fognini Advance

Here's a breakdown of what to watch in the desert today:

>>> See Tuesday's BNP Paribas Open Schedule

1. Gulbis-Dimitrov, Round Three

Grigor Dimitrov and Ernests Gulbis are two of the most entertaining players on tour today, and that's no secret to tennis die-hards, who have long been captivated by the potential of Dimitrov's high-octane shotmaking and jaw-dropping athleticism, as well as the arbitrary creativity and asphalt-searing serve from Gulbis (and that near-perfect backhand, too). But on Tuesday the mainstream will get a look at these two budding superstars as they engage in a battle for short-term supremacy of what has been a very compelling mini-rivalry this year.

Both cracked the top 20 for the first time in February, and after splitting two matches in the month (each was entertaining, though not without spotty play), they are ready to do it again on Stadium 2 with a spot in a Masters 1000 round of 16 on the line.

2. Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard Begin the Day on Stadium 2

Pour a strong cup of coffee and put your phone on vibrate, because you are not going to want to miss a single second of this to-die-for matchup on Stadium 2. In Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard, we get to see what could very well be the future of the WTA go head-to-head for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Though Halep is toting the cachet of having won seven titles in her last seven finals, and is a newly minted member of the WTA's top 10, the 20-year-old Bouchard has done nothing but impress since rising to relevance over the last year. Halep may have the titles and the ranking, but it is Bouchard who has the Grand Slam semifinal to her name, as she reached the Australian Open's last four less than two months ago.

There has been no sign of a letdown from either player, and their first of what is sure to be many spirited tilts should be a doozy.

3. Sloane Stephens vs. Alisa Kleybanova

Everybody was so ready to throw Sloane Stephens under the bus just last week, saying she doesn't have the right attitude to be elite or that she's been the beneficiary of cupcake draws at the Grand Slams. Well, now, here she is, on the cusp of another sneaky little run, deep into a prestigious draw—how do you like Sloane now?

Her opponent in the round of 16 will be one of the most inspiring players in all of tennis, the Russian Alisa Kleybanova. The 24-year-old has come all the way back from a career-threatening bout with Hodgkins Lymphoma (and a ranking somewhere in the 900's last June) to find herself on the cusp of her second Indian Wells quarterfinal.

Kleybanova's first deep run at Indian Wells came in 2010, a year before her diagnosis sent her to the sidelines. Now that she's back, you better believe that win or lose, she'll appreciate what she's done in 2014 more than that. And you better believe that we will, too!

Stat of the Day

One day older than Li Na, 32-year-old Flavia Pennetta is the oldest player through to the round of 16 on the women's side. She'll face Italian Camila Giorgi on Tuesday.

Fact of the Day

Dominic Thiem, making his ATP World Tour Masters Debut at Indian Wells, shares a coach with Latvian Ernests Gulbis. His name? Gunther Bresnick.

Just Plain Ridiculous

Colombia's Alejandro Gonzalez arrived at Indian Wells with an 0-6 ATP World Tour main draw record. Now he's into the third round and will face Novak Djokovic in the third match on Stadium 1 Tuesday.