Gabriel Diallo and Mattia Bellucci to face off in Indian Wells opener

The two players will meet for the 5th time in their careers in the 1st round of the BNP Paribas Open

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Gabriel Diallo and Mattia Bellucci are set to clash in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Wednesday. The two players have faced each other four times previously, with Bellucci holding a 3-1 advantage in the head-to-head. Diallo's lone win came in a 6-1, 6-0 victory in the Acapulco qualifiers in 2025.

Why it matters

This matchup between the world No. 38 Diallo and No. 94 Bellucci will be an early test for both players as they look to make a deep run at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament. The outcome could have implications for their rankings and momentum heading into the rest of the season.

The details

Diallo, a Canadian, has a 2-6 record so far in 2026, including a 1-4 mark on hard courts. Bellucci, an Italian, has a 6-7 record this year, with a 6-6 record on hard surfaces. Both players will be looking to bounce back from recent early round losses, with Diallo falling in the first round in Delray Beach and Bellucci exiting in the quarterfinals in Acapulco.

  • The match is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4th at 1:00 pm local time.
  • Diallo and Bellucci last met in the Acapulco qualifiers in 2025, with Diallo winning 6-1, 6-0.

The players

Gabriel Diallo

A 38th-ranked Canadian player who has an overall career record of 172-111, including a 87-55 mark on hard courts. His best result at Indian Wells was reaching the 2nd round in 2025.

Mattia Bellucci

A 94th-ranked Italian player who has an overall career record of 265-172, including a 149-81 record on hard courts. His best result at Indian Wells was reaching the qualifications in 2023 and 2025.

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What they’re saying

“We must be prepared for a tough battle between these two talented players. Both Diallo and Bellucci will be eager to get off to a strong start in Indian Wells.”

— Mark Hall, Tennis Journalist (tennistonic.com)

What’s next

The winner of this first round match will advance to face either Daniil Medvedev or a qualifier in the second round.

The takeaway

This opening round clash between Diallo and Bellucci will be an intriguing matchup between two players looking to make their mark at the prestigious BNP Paribas Open. The outcome could have significant implications for their seasons moving forward.