JON LEVEY: After his US Open final run last summer, 2025 held a lot of promise for Taylor Fritz. However, the world No. 4 has had a curious start to the year. It opened favorably as he helped lead the U.S. team to the United Cup title. Since then, though, he has essentially been a .500 player. He was the top seed at both Dallas and Delray Beach (where he was the two-time defending champ) and could only muster one win at each tournament. Fritz usually thrives on his native hard courts—he won Indian Wells in 2022—and could use some productive home-cooking before hitting the European clay.
ED MCGROGAN: Emma Navarro was a US Open semifinalist last year, but you’d never think that based on her play this season. Yes, she reached the quarters at the Australian Open, but even her wins in Melbourne were struggles—the only match that ended in straights was her 6-1, 6-2 loss to Iga Swiatek. Outside that tournament, she’s just 2-4. The 23-year-old leveled up in 2024, but after a slow start to ’25, March will be telling of her Navarro’s status, and the expectations that come with it.
MATT FITZGERALD: Maria Sakkari certainly wants to get something going ASAP. A shoulder injury ended her 2024 season after the US Open and the former world No. 3 has since managed three wins in her first 10 outings (main draw) this year. Having dropped to No. 30 in the rankings, Sakkari has the tall order of defending a runner-up showing at the first leg of the Sunshine Double. While a repeat performance in Indian Wells is a lot to ask right now, the BNP Paribas Open presently accounts for more than a third of the Greek’s ranking points.
