Judging by the opening few days we could have a superb tournament on our hands in Indian Wells this year. Almost half the field will probably fancy their chances of going all the way to the title. But who will make the third round?
There is a huge slate of matches on Day 4. As always we are across it all at LWOT, and we previewed the rest of the matches, split between three other articles.
WTA Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions
Lauren Davis vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-Head Record: First meeting
This all-American matchup sees two of my favorite battlers going head-to-head for the first time. I think this may be slightly one-sided though as Collins actually has excellent hard court data. She is running at a 71% win rate on the surface over the last year whereas Davis actually has a losing record. Given that a fair chunk of Davis’ matches will have been at a lower level than Collins’ as well it really is a big tip of the scales in the direction of Collins.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-Head Record: Sorribes Tormo 1-1 Kalinskaya
I suspect that this is going to be a sneaky good, high-quality match. Both players have really shown some improvement, especially on hard courts, this season. Kalinskaya is more heavily serve-oriented but Sorribes Tormo has one of the best return games going this year so that will be where the battle will be won or lost. The Spaniard must restore her confidence somewhat after the battering she suffered in the US Open at the hands of Emma Raducanu and she can start that here with a closely fought win.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Viktorija Golubic vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-Head Record: First Meeting
The Swiss produced an excellent victory in her opening round against Marketa Vondrousova and is at her peak ranking inside the Top 50. However, her record against Top 10 players is really poor, losing nine of her past ten. Sakkari is now a Top 10 player, sneaking in there in the last week of September for the first time. This solidifies her obvious progress, her serve has become very consistent as a point winner and she has maintained her return game at a high level too. This combination should prove too much for the Swiss.
Prediction: Sakkari in 2
Alison Riske vs Bianca Andreescu
Head-to-Head Record: First meeting
Andreescu seems to be creeping back towards some sort of form. I was impressed with her US Open run and a backing up of that here in Indian Wells, a venue she is yet to lose at given her only appearance was her 2019 title win, would go some way to putting those building blocks back in place. Riske, though a dangerous player, has an awful record at this tournament. She is 2-8 win-loss here with the second of those wins coming in the opening round here. It is still likely that Andreescu will make this difficult, she does love a three-setter, but I think the Canadian will win, through.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
