As is always the case, the first day at WTA Indian Wells won’t feature any of the seeds, but the battles between unseeded players should provide plenty of quality and excitement. We at LWOT have the preview and predictions for all matches on the slate, including Camila Giorgi vs Katie Boulter. The lack of top-ranked players surely won’t stop this from being a great day of tennis in the Californian desert. But who do you think will advance?
WTA Indian Wells Day 1 Predictions
Robin Montgomery vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a great battle between two young American players who navigated their way through qualifying and now have a great chance to win a main draw match at WTA Indian Wells. It’s very hard to predict which way this will go, but judging by their career trajectories so far and the form they showed in qualifying, perhaps Montgomery has a slight edge.
Prediction: Montgomery in 3
Paula Badosa vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-head: Badosa 1-0 Krueger
Their only meeting to date was one of the few wins Badosa has this year in her return from a prolonged injury absence. Here at WTA Indian Wells, Badosa should once again have the edge. Although both players are close ranking-wise, Badosa’s level is generally much higher, and she should be able to climb back up the rankings quickly.
Prediction: Badosa in 2
Mai Hontama vs Shuai Zhang
Head-to-head: Zhang 1-0 Hontama
Zhang is generally the better player, but she’s just returned from a prolonged absence, which evens things up a lot. Hontama made her way through qualifying and will be carrying some confidence into this match. It should be a very tight match, and the Japanese might very well find a way to come through.
Prediction: Hontama in 3
Camila Giorgi vs Katie Boulter
Head-to-head: first meeting
Boulter is coming into this tournament fresh off a title in San Diego and should be very confident. Currently at her career-high ranking of No. 27, Booulter definitely can go even higher. Giorgi, on the other hand, is in the descending stage of her career. She comes into this match on the back of a four match losing streak and she’s unlikely to snap it here.
Prediction: Boulter in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
