The BNP Paribas Open strikes into its third day with some intriguing second-round matchups on the cardboard. Day one produced a few surprises; Zeynep Sonmez beat McCartney Kessler, Yulia Putintseva dispatched Paula Badosa in simply 83 minutes, and Kimberly Birrell rolled by Oksana Selekhmeteva, establishing the 4 contests right here. As all the time, we right here at LWOT will likely be providing our predictions for each match on the schedule. But who will advance?
WTA Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Alexandra Eala vs Dayana Yastremska
Head-to-Head: Eala 1–0 Yastremska
Yastremska got here by qualifying to get right here and has misplaced her opening match in three of her final 4 occasions, so she arrives on the again foot. Alexandra Eala, in the meantime, reached the quarterfinals in Dubai, beating world No.7 Jasmine Paolini alongside the best way. Their solely prior assembly, a straight-sets win for the Filipina, got here on grass, however the momentum hole between these two proper now’s exhausting to disregard.
Prediction: Eala in 2
Anna Kalinskaya vs Zeynep Sonmez
Head-to-Head: First assembly
Sonmez is having a real breakout 12 months — a primary WTA title in Merida and a robust Australian Open run from qualifying — and her first-round demolition of Kessler confirmed actual conviction. Kalinskaya, although, is the extra full participant at this degree. Her ball-striking is clear, and she or he is aware of easy methods to handle large matches. Sonmez has the instruments to make it uncomfortable, however Kalinskaya’s expertise at 1000-level occasions ought to see her over the road.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Clara Tauson vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-Head: Putintseva 1–0 Tauson
Putintseva was medical in opposition to Badosa in spherical one, needing simply 83 minutes and changing 5 of eight break factors. Her defensive recreation and courtroom craft are well-suited to disrupting larger hitters, and she or he holds the head-to-head edge on exhausting. Tauson reached the Dubai quarterfinals with out dropping a set, so her ball-striking is in good order, and her energy ought to ultimately be the distinction. But count on Putintseva to make her work for it.
Prediction: Tauson in 3
Victoria Mboko vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-Head: Mboko 2–0 Birrell
Birrell is in first rate type after a semifinal run in Austin, however she faces a participant working at a unique degree totally. Victoria Mboko has gone 13-4 this season, reached the fourth spherical of the Australian Open, and made the Doha remaining, beating Andreeva and Rybakina alongside the best way. She gained their most up-to-date assembly in Adelaide in straight units, and her mixture of physicality and aggressive baseline play is a troublesome puzzle for Birrell to resolve.
Prediction: Mboko in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
