Third round action continues on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. A couple of rounds have come and gone making it a little easier to assess form and hopefully find some value in the markets. Let’s take a look at some of the potential best bets on another busy day in California.
Indian Wells Best Bets March 14
(13) Victoria Azarenka vs. (17) Elena Rybakina
Victoria Azarenka has the best record at Indian Wells of anyone in the draw. A two-time former champion, and finalist last year. It seems Azarenka is able to adjust to the unique conditions in Indian Wells better than most. Next up for Azarenka is an opponent she should match up well against, an opponent that is unlikely to enjoy the conditions in this matchup. Rybakina hasn’t had a good start to the season and will need to produce her best performance of the season to beat Azarenka on a slow hard court, that seems very unlikely.
Azarenka has been one of the best counter-punchers on tour for about a decade now, she knows how to handle a powerful opponent. Rybakina’s task to hit through Azarenka on a slow court is an extremely difficult one, one that her recent form suggests she isn’t capable of at the moment. Azarenka looked decent in a tough opening round win against Astra Sharma and should be too solid here, I would rate her as an even stronger favorite than the odds suggest.
Recommended Selections:
Victoria Azarenka ML – 2 units @ -168
(5) Paula Badosa vs. (32) Sara Sorribes Tormo
A quick one. Got to have a go at Sorribes Tormo at these high odds on a surface that really suits her game. Paula Badosa is the defending champion this week, defending a massive title for the first time in her career won’t be easy, she already showed signs of distress in her opening round win over Tereza Martincova. If Badosa is tentative or tight, she will be punished in this matchup. Sorribes Tormo isn’t giving anything away for free and will make Badosa earn every single point. I won’t be surprised to see an upset here.
Recommended Selections:
Sara Sorribes Tormo ML – 0.5 units @ +330
(8) Casper Ruud vs. (wc) Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios has cruised through his first couple of matches against weak opposition, a much tougher challenge awaits against Casper Ruud. I don’t think Kyrgios will enjoy this matchup on a slow hard court. Ruud is a legitimate Top 10 player, a class above Kyrgios, and should be a stronger favurite in my opinion. Ruud has a huge advantage from the back of the court, he has all the skills to make life very difficult for Kyrgios. Ruud’s ability to sit deep in the court to neutralize the initial powerful shots of Kyrgios and get into a rally will be key in this matchup.
Recommended Selections:
Casper Ruud ML – 2.5 units @ -110
(18) Leylah Fernandez vs. Shelby Rogers
Leylah Fernandez is on a roll. The Canadian’s early season struggles are seemingly a thing of the past having arrived in Indian Wells fresh from successfully defending her title in Monterrey.
Fernandez shouldn’t be in the tournament anymore; she somehow saved a bunch of match points against Amanda Anisimova in the previous round, a gutsy effort. Wins like that often have a carryover effect, a positive one. I expect that to be the case for the Canadian this tournament. Fernandez can play with more freedom on a surface that suits her game nicely. The Canadian is the better player and definitely wins in this matchup far more often than not, more so than the odds suggest in my opinion.
Recommended Selections:
Leylah Fernandez – 1.5 units @ -136
Recommended selections are based on a 5 unit betting system where 1 unit is a minimum stake, and 5 units is the maximum stake.
This article is intended for entertainment purposes only. LWOS makes no guarantees that the picks will win. Only gamble where it is legal to do so, and only amounts you can afford to lose. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Main Photo from Getty.
