Lorenzo Musetti defeated Roman Safiullin 7–5, 5–7, 6–2 in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters on hard court, confirming his status as the pre-match favourite with odds of 1.87 to Safiullin's 2.03. The Italian recovered from dropping the second set to assert control in the decider, securing a commanding performance in the third frame. The match showcased Musetti's ability to manage a competitive opponent across three sets, with Safiullin proving competitive through the middle stages before losing momentum. Musetti's progression keeps him on course in the Masters 1000 draw at Indian Wells.