Seeded players will start to make their mark on Day 3 of the WTA BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The conditions are slow and dry as the hard courts and their bounce almost are that of clay. American phenom Coco Gauff opens the night session on Stadium 1. Emma Raducanu and former Eorld #4 Caroline Garcia will also make an appearance on Stadium 1. Here is the preview of that match, and much more.
WTA Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Clara Tauson vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Clara Tauson received a Round 1 bye as the Dane is seeded #29 in the field. Beatriz Haddad Maia had a great straight-set win over Sofia Kenin in Round 1. Haddad Maia is playing some solid tennis having reached the semifinals of Monterrey just a week ago. However, the 19-year-old Tauson will be a very tough out as she continues her young rise on the WTA Tour. Tauson holds a 24-11 tour-level record on the hard court and should be able to add another win to that tally over the Brazilian.
Prediction: Tauson in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Danka Kovinic
#7 seed Karolina Pliskova opens up her week and her season against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro. Pliskova has missed the first two months of the season due to a right hand injury. Her opponent, Kovinic, bested Jil Teichmann in Round 1, 7-5 7-5. On paper, Pliskova should be able to easily handle Kovinic. However, rust is certainly something that could be an issue as the former World #1 has not played a competitive match in over 100 days. I think we could see some struggles early from Pliskova, but nothing she should not be able to overcome.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Claire Liu vs Coco Gauff
Head-to-head: First meeting
Young Americans Claire Liu and Coco Gauff will square off for the first time in Round 2 at Indian Wells. Claire Liu, who holds her current peak rank of #87, has played some solid tennis in 2022. She holds a 7-5 record in all competitions this season. Gauff is coming off of a quarterfinal run in Doha looking to best her Round 3 run at Indian Wells in 2021. Gauff, who turns just 18 on March 13, has the advantage off of both wings and at the service line. She should have no problem besting her compatriot.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Caroline Garcia
Emma Raducanu is still trying to live up the lofty expectation she bestowed upon herself after her US Open title just six months ago. She is just 3-6 since then, including an incredible effort two weeks ago in Guadalajara that saw her retire late in the third set. Her opponent, Caroline Garcia of France, played a 2 hour and 27 minute first round match in the desert. The former world number 4 is starting to find her form after reaching the semifinals in Lyon last week. It will be important for Raducanu to settle into this match early. It seems as if the expectations of a high seed next to her name has not been kind to the Brit. The veteran Garcia is not someone you can mess around with. I like the Frenchwoman to advance in a three-set battle.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
