Day 1 at Indian Wells will see a lot of WTA action, with many exciting and unpredictable matches in store. It will feature the debut of 2017 US Open finalist Madison Keys, who’s desperately trying to get back on track after a terrible season to date. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson, Andrea Petkovic vs Yulia Putintseva, and Magda Linette vs Rebecca Peterson. But who do you think will progress?
WTA Indian Wells Day 1 Predictions
Irina Begu vs Fiona Ferro
This is expected to be a very tight match between two players of similar level; Irina Begu has experience on her side, while Fiona Ferro seems to have the bigger upside going forward. Both players have been struggling with their form recently, but Begu more so, with Ferro managing to win a round at the US Open last month. The French should be considered as a very slight favorite to win here.
Prediction: Ferro in 3
Elena Gabriela Ruse vs Alycia Parks
Head-to-head: first meeting
Both players have had excellent campaigns in qualifying and will be confident coming into this first round match. Elena Gabriela Ruse is the higher-ranked player, but Alycia Parks is younger and still developing as a player. It’s another match that could genuinely go either way, and maybe Parks’ home advantage might be enough to make the difference.
Prediction: Parks in 3
Marta Kostyuk vs Zhang Shuai
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-0 Zhang
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2Embed from Getty Images
Madison Keys vs Kaia Kanepi
Head-to-head: Keys 1-1 Kanepi
This match is much harder to call than one could imagine. Kaia Kanepi is a veteran of the circuit, whose best days are long behind her at the age of 36, but Keys has been struggling big time post-pandemic break, with an awful 10-14 record so far this year. The American is still the slight favorite to prevail here. She will have great memories of this particular opponent, as she beat Kanepi in the quarterfinals of the 2017 US Open, en route to the final in what was her best career achievement to date.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
