WTA Indian Wells: Who can stop Swiatek? The FILA favorites check
The second WTA Tour 1000 tournament of the season takes place in Indian Wells. Iga Swiatek starts as the defending champion. But the Pole lost her feathers in Dubai against Barbora Krejcikova. We have the FILA favorites check for you.
by tennisnet.com
last edit:
Mar 07, 2023, 10:44 pm
Defending champions have a hard time in Indian Wells. Only Martina Navratilova was able to lift the trophy in Tennis Paradise twice in a row in 1990 and 1991. The bar is therefore very high for Iga Swiatek, who, like all seeded players, starts with a bye. And in round three it could be against the winner of 2019, Bianca Andreescu. Swiatek is not yet as dominant as it was in spring 2022, but at least it celebrated its first tournament win of the season in Doha a few days ago.
Who could be particularly dangerous for the Pole in Tennis Paradise?
- First of all, there is Barbora Krejcikova, who gave Swiatek no chance in the final in Dubai. But that's not all: It was the Czech's second success in a row against the Polish industry leader: Back in autumn 2022, Krejcikova prevailed in the final in Ostrava in a fantastic tennis match. In Indian Wells, the 2021 French Open winner will start in 16th place.
- Also on the bill should be Aryna Sabalenka, who won her first Grand Slam in Melbourne earlier this year. And before that was successful in Adelaide. Sabalenka is second behind Swiatek. And could meet Barbora Krejcikova in the round of 16.
- The first candidate for a home win is probably Jessica Pegula. However, the third in the world rankings could face tough competition in her first match: if Camila Giorgi prevails in the first round.
- Cori Gauff is still waiting for her first big triumph. Gauff was drawn into the bottom quarter, is a potential quarter-final opponent for Krejcikova or Sabalenka.
- Or how about an outsider? Karolina Pliskova, for example, has shown improving form over the past few weeks. The faster the conditions, the more Pliskova can be expected in Indian Wells. Pliskova could meet maria Sakkari in the round of 16. The Greek reached the final in Indian Wells last year. And lost to Iga Swiatek.
Here the individual tableau in Indian Wells
iwmap