Fonseca and Collignon to face off in Indian Wells opener

Brazilian Joao Fonseca and Belgian Raphael Collignon meet in the 1st round of the BNP Paribas Open

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Joao Fonseca and Raphael Collignon will square off in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Wednesday. This will be the second career meeting between the two players, with Fonseca holding a 1-0 head-to-head advantage after winning their previous matchup in Davis Cup play in 2024. Fonseca, ranked No. 35, is looking to bounce back after a slow start to 2026, while the 77th-ranked Collignon comes in hot, having won his last 7 matches and the Pau Challenger title.

Why it matters

This first-round matchup at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament features two rising players looking to make their mark on the ATP Tour. Fonseca, a Brazilian, is seeking to regain his form after a disappointing start to the year, while Collignon, a Belgian, is aiming to build on his recent success and make a deep run in his Indian Wells debut.

The details

Fonseca and Collignon will face off on Stadium Court 3 on Wednesday at 7:00 pm local time. According to the initial odds, Fonseca is the slight favorite to win the match. Fonseca holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over Collignon, having won their previous encounter in Davis Cup play in 2024. Fonseca is 1-3 on the year so far, while Collignon has an 11-3 record in 2026, including a title at the Pau Challenger.

  • The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 7:00 pm local time.

The players

Joao Fonseca

A 35th-ranked Brazilian player who is looking to bounce back after a slow start to the 2026 season.

Raphael Collignon

A 77th-ranked Belgian player who is coming off a title win at the Pau Challenger and has won his last 7 matches.

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What they’re saying

“This will be a tough first-round match, but I'm confident in my abilities and looking forward to the challenge.”

— Joao Fonseca (tennistonic.com)

“Playing in Indian Wells for the first time is a dream come true. I'll give it my all to try and pull off the upset.”

— Raphael Collignon (tennistonic.com)

What’s next

The winner of this first-round match will face the victor of the Bautista Agut vs. Rublev matchup in the second round.

The takeaway

This opening-round clash at the BNP Paribas Open features two players on different trajectories - Fonseca looking to regain his form, and Collignon aiming to continue his recent hot streak. The outcome could set the tone for the rest of their respective Indian Wells campaigns.