Five Things to Watch on Thursday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

1

WTA First Round Blockbuster: Naomi Osaka vs. Sloane Stephens: Fans with tickets to Stadium 1 on Thursday are in for a treat. Two former Grand Slam champions in Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens will duke it out as the last match of the Stadium 1 afternoon session in what promises to be one of the most thrilling matches of the first round. As the 2018 BNP Paribas Open champion, Osaka will be looking to mount another title run in Tennis Paradise, while Stephens is yet to break past the quarterfinals in ten previous appearances in Indian Wells. Both players will surely have their hands full in the first round as they begin their quest for success in the desert.

2

ATP Main Draw Gets Underway: After a thrilling past two days of back-and-forth qualifying matches, ATP main draw action has arrived in Tennis Paradise. The drama all starts Thursday as a loaded draw full of seasoned veterans, rising stars and past BNP Paribas Open champions begins to unfold. Nick Kyrgios, Sebastian Korda and Jack Sock are among the names highlighting Thursday’s first round ATP slate. Check out the order of play for a full list of the first round ATP action to watch.

3

Afternoon Entertainment with Avenida: The Village Stage will be rocking Thursday afternoon as local Palm Desert 5-piece band Avenida graces the Indian Wells Tennis Garden with their signature rock and roll musical stylings. If you are feeling ready for a break from world-class tennis, head over to the Village Stage from 3:15pm-4:45pm to experience yet another exciting musical performance taking place in the heart of Tennis Paradise.

4

Fan Q&A with Diego Schwartzman: Join ATP Tour World No. 14 Diego Schwartzman for a Q&A at the Bank of the West Booth, located on the north side of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. While you’re there, make sure to grab a selfie with the Bank of the West Living Wall, and post it to social using #BNPPOpen4Trees.

5

Americans in Action: A number of homegrown players will take to the court on Thursday as they set out to achieve something no American player has done since 2001 – win the BNP Paribas Open. The last American winners in Tennis Paradise were Serena Williams and Andre Agassi, but it has now been over 20 years since an homegrown player has hoisted the title in Indian Wells. Sebastian Korda, Amanda Anisimova, Jack Sock and Sloane Stephens are among the standout Americans that will begin their quest to try to end the United States title drought in Tennis Paradise.