WTA Indian Wells Preview

First Quarter: No. 8 Pliskova’s Quarter

This would have been Barbora Krejcikova’s quarter, but after the top-ranked Czech and world No. 2 withdrew from the tournament with an elbow injury, compatriot Karolina Pliskova emerged as the highest-ranked seed in this section.

The first quarter is wide open as a result, affording a unique opportunity to a number of top players. One of these beneficiaries is Alize Cornet, who steps into Krejcikova’s spot in the bracket and receives a first-round bye.

World No. 2 Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from the BNP Paribas Open due to an elbow injury.

As the next player in line to be seeded, Alize Cornet will move into Krejcikova’s spot in the draw.#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/tbvMN5GmVn

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 8, 2022

Former Grand Slam champion Simona Halep is one to spot in this section, priced at +1400 to lift the title in betting online markets. Halep is on a collision course with Cornet in the Round of 16 in what would be a reprisal of their scintillating showdown at the 2022 Australian Open (Cornet defeated Halep in three sets).

American Coco Gauff is another player that could emerge from this section. The teenager could face Halep in the R32 and Cornet in the R16, should she embark on a winning run. Gauff is an outside bet at +2500 to win the tournament.

Expectations aren’t high for world No. 8 Pliskova, though. Pliskova was sidelined with a hand injury and is making her first appearance on the WTA Tour this year. This lack of match fitness raises question marks about her form, casting doubt on a deep run in the Californian desert. Thus, Pliskova’s odds are on the higher scale at +2200 to win the tournament.

Pliskova could face Emma Raducanu in the R16. The Brit has had a slow start to 2022 but hopes are high for the rising star as the season gains momentum. France’s Carolina Garcia, who comes into this tournament in fine form after a semifinal appearance in Lyon, is another dangerous floater in this section that could shake things up.

Second Quarter: No. 4 Swiatek’s Quarter

All eyes are likely to be on this quarter, which is flanked by world No. 4 Iga Swiatek and No. 9 Garbine Muguruza for several reasons. One of these is the fact that Swiatek is tipped as the top bet to win the tournament title, priced at +750 in Indian Wells outrights.

Should this section go to plan, a Swiatek vs Muguruza showdown would be a popcorn match to spot in the quarterfinals by virtue of its top billing. However, neither player is guaranteed to go deep in a section that is stacked with quality and talent.

Swiatek’s corner is littered with stumbling blocks, starting with a potential tilt against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the R32. The R16 could set up the Polish star against a number of other threats, including three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber.

The German might be priced as a longshot bet at +6500 to win the BNP Paribas Open, but she’s a savvy and experienced player that could surprise. It’s worth noting, Kerber was a runner-up in Indian Wells in 2019.

Muguruza, priced at +2000 to win the title, falls into the same corner as Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. Arguably, should this pair reach the R16, it would be a mouth-watering contest. Svitolina has the 7-5 head-to-head edge, but the pair have split the last two meetings.

Third Quarter: Kontaveit’s Quarter

According to the seeding, this quarter belongs to fourth seed Anett Kontaveit. However, anchoring this section is 2021 Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa, who is priced as the +1600 bet in tennis futures betting. Badosa defeated Victoria Azarenka in a three-set marathon to win the prestigious title last year, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6.

This section is loaded with big hitters, Grand Slam champions and rising stars of the game. Of all the sections, it’s fair to say that this quarter is the toughest to predict as a result.

Workout like a champion with @naomiosaka 💫#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/46EuW0VnQT

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 9, 2022

To begin with, Naomi Osaka and Sloane Stephens are contained in this section, slated to kick off the tournament in a blockbuster first-round matchup. It goes without saying, the winner of this tournament opener will get a huge confidence boost that could prove a catalyst for a deep run to the quarters and beyond.

Osaka is the bookmakers’ second favorite at +1000 to win. Stephens, by contrast, is the quintessential longshot at +8000. However, the American’s odds are heavily impacted by this draw. Should Stephens mastermind the upset over Osaka, her odds would be slashed immediately.

Elsewhere, Jelena Ostapenko, Amanda Anisimova, Jessica Pegula, Leylah Fernandez and Shelby Rogers lurk in this section – all are players with serious hardcourt cache that can shake things up.

Fourth Quarter: No. 2 Sabalenka’s Quarter

Aryna Sabalenka enters the Indian Wells tournament ast the second seed and the fourth-best bet at +1400 to win. Flanking the opposite side of Sabalenka’s quarter is Maria Sakkari, who is also priced at +1400 bet to win.

Sakkari is enjoying good form this season and brings an 11-4 record to Indian Wells. Her corner is littered with potential stumbling blocks, though, including Petra Kvitova, Elise Mertens and Ons Jabeur. Getting out of this section will be challenging.

Sabalenka’s season has been inconsistent and she arrives at Indian Wells with a 6-5 record. Sabalenka reached the fourth round of the Australian Open (l. to Kaia Kanepi). Most recently, she was dumped in the second round of the Dubai Open by Petra Kvitova in straight sets.

Sabalenka’s corner might be lighter in the early rounds with only Victoria Azarenka looming as a legitimate hurdle in the R16. However, given Sabalenka’s shaky form, an early upset against an unlikely opponent wouldn’t be surprising either.