Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov, two of the most mercurial players on the ATP Tour, will meet in Round 1 of the 2026 Indian Wells Masters.
Still in the midst of a downward spiral that has spanned the better part of two years, Tsitsipas is a -138 favorite to beat Denis Shapovalov at bet365 Sportsbook in the most intriguing matchup of the opening round.
Tsitsipas, the former World No. 3, won just 55.3 percent of his 38 matches in 2025 (21-17), and he was bounced in the first or second round of all four Grand Slams.
The Greek finished the season on a 3-7 skid, and is just 12-13 over his last 25 matches overall.
The fact that he is the favorite tells you a lot about how much confidence the betting market has in Shapovalov these days.
Indian Wells: Tsitsipas vs. Shapovalov odds, prediction
There have been times over the past couple of years when it looked like Shapovalov found something.
He enjoyed a stirring start to 2025, then won a title in Los Cabos in July, but ultimately, he was inconsistent and finished with a 54-percent win rate.
That’s been the story of the former young gun’s career.
The Canadian has a terrific arsenal, and he can put any player on the ATP Tour on his heels with his shot-making ability, but he loses the plot far too often and has a habit of forcing things at the worst possible time.
The good news is that he won’t be the only player with that issue in this matchup.
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Tsitsipas has the higher upside in this showdown, but his most defining trait right now is that he’s messy on the court.
It’s one thing to be unpredictable and keep your opponent guessing, but it’s another when it looks like you are also guessing. That’s where Tsitsipas is these days.
In a matchup like this, one that can go in a million different directions thanks to the enigmatic nature of both players, it makes sense to ride with the underdog.
The Play: Shapovalov (+110, bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
