Alexei Popyrin vs Zizou Bergs Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Popyrin's struggles to continue against in-form Bergs

Andrew Hendrie

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Last updated: 07 Mar 2025

Andrew Hendrie 07 Mar 2025

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Alexei Popyrin vs Zizou Bergs predictions for Friday's ATP Indian Wells R2
Popyrin has lost five of his six matches in 2025
Bergs has compiled a 13-6 record in 2025
Bergs won their only previous meeting in straight sets
The match is scheduled to start around 8.00am AEDT on Saturday March 8

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Zizou Bergs (Photo by Getty Images)

Alexei Popyrin vs Zizou Bergs Tips, Prediction & Live Stream

It's been a tough season for Alexei Popyrin and the Aussie could be set for another early exit when he confronts the in-form Zizou Bergs on Friday in the second round of the Indian Wells Masters.

Alexei Popyrin vs Zizou Bergs Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Head To Head
Alexei Popyrin Form
Zizou Bergs Form
Live Stream

Popyrin has struggled considerably since knocking Novak Djokovic out of the US Open last year, winning just four matches outside of Davis Cup. Popyrin has gone 1-5 to start the season, with his only win coming against Lebanese wildcard Hady Habib in Dubai. Bergs meanwhile is a stellar 13-6 so far in 2025 and the Belgian is playing the best tennis of his career.

Bergs is well on his way to the top 50 and higher, while he also has a match already under his belt in these conditions after Popyrin received a first round bye. I think Bergs should be a much bigger favourite, so happy to take the Belgian at even money, while a straight sets victory also offers value.

Head To Head

These two haven't played a tour-level match, but they did meet on the grass of the Ilkley Challenger back in 2022, where Bergs prevailed 6-2 7-5.

Alexei Popyrin Form

Things were looking bright for Popyrin during the North American hardcourt summer last year after he captured his first Masters 1000 title in Canada and defeated Djokovic to make the third round of the US Open.

However, as mentioned, Popyrin has only won four matches outside of Davis Cup since departing New York. That's four wins in almost seven months.

Popyrin failed to win a match during the Australian summer and only picked up his first win of 2025 against the World No. 170 in Dubai before he was defeated by veteran Marin Cilic.

The Aussie has never been beyond the second round at Indian Wells and he'll need to showcase significant improvement to snap that trend on Friday.

Zizou Bergs Form

By contrast, Bergs is in career-best form and I think he'll be seeded at the Grand Slams by the end of this year.

Bergs has won 13 of his 19 tour-level matches so far this season, highlighted by a brilliant run from qualifying in Auckland to launch the season, with the Belgian advancing all the way to the final before going down to Gael Monfils.

The 25-year-old also made the semi-finals of Marseille, where he went down to eventual champion Ugo Humbert.

Playing the main draw of Indian Wells for the first time, Bergs was clinical in knocking out rising American Ethan Quinn in straight sets, 7-6 6-3.

Live Stream

Watch and bet on Alexei Popyrin vs Zizou Bergs live tennis from Indian Wells.

You can watch and bet on the match live at Unibet > Tennis > ATP Indian Wells with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.

Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access. 18+ terms and conditions apply.

Verdict

Alexei Popyrin v Zizou Bergs

Popyrin is really struggling right now, while Bergs is in the form of his life.

With the pair at even money, give me Bergs all day based on their current level. The Belgian also has a match in these conditions under his belt, so all signs point to the Belgian prevailing and making the third round.