Casper Ruud and Valentin Vacherot set for Indian Wells clash

The two players will meet for the first time in the 3rd round of the BNP Paribas Open

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Casper Ruud, the world No. 13, and Valentin Vacherot, ranked No. 26, will square off in the 3rd round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Monday. This will be the first career meeting between the two players. Ruud reached the 3rd round with a straight-sets win over Alexander Shevchenko, while Vacherot defeated Nuno Borges in two tight sets.

Why it matters

This matchup between two rising stars in men's tennis will be an intriguing one, as both players look to make a deep run at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament. Ruud, a Norwegian, has been steadily climbing the rankings in recent years, while Vacherot, a Monegasque, is making his debut appearance at Indian Wells.

The details

Ruud, the 13th-ranked player in the world, defeated Shevchenko 6-1, 7-6(4) in the 2nd round, hitting 26 winners and saving all 3 break points he faced. Vacherot, ranked 26th, had a 7-5, 7-5 win over Borges, firing 37 winners and breaking his opponent 3 times. Both players have solid records on hard courts this season, with Ruud going 6-5 and Vacherot 6-5.

  • Ruud and Vacherot are scheduled to play their 3rd round match on Monday, March 9th at 3:00 pm local time.

The players

Casper Ruud

A 23-year-old Norwegian player who is currently ranked No. 13 in the world. He has a career-high ranking of No. 2 and has won 6 ATP titles.

Valentin Vacherot

A 26-year-old Monegasque player who is ranked No. 26 in the world. This is his first appearance at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The winner of the Ruud-Vacherot match will advance to the 4th round of the BNP Paribas Open.

The takeaway

This matchup between the 13th-ranked Ruud and the 26th-ranked Vacherot promises to be an exciting one, as both players look to make a deep run at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament and continue their rise up the ATP rankings.