2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu starts her tournament on Day 2 at the WTA Masters in Indian Wells. Her match is one of four predicted in this article on a busy second day at the event. As always, we at LWOT also predict the outcomes of all the other WTA contests taking place in Indian Wells, including Naomi Osaka vs Sara Errani and Sofia Kenin vs Viktoriya Tomova.
WTA Indian Wells Day 2 Predictions
Caroline Dolehide vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: First meeting
Dolehide comes into this match after a difficult start to the season. She has lost five matches and only managed two wins in 2024. Bucsa has not managed many victories either, although she did have a solid run to the quarterfinal in Abu Dhabi a few weeks ago. The slow and high-bouncing conditions in Indian Wells should suit both players pretty well. Dolehide reached the third round in her sole appearance in Indian Wells back in 2018. This could be tight, but fairly favourable conditions and a home crowd may be enough for Dolehide to get a first win since the Australian Open.
Prediction: Dolehide in 3
Magdalena Frech vs Lucia Bronzetti
Head-to-head: First meeting
It has been a great start to the season overall for Frech, with an Australian Open fourth-round and a third-round appearance in Dubai to her name. However, she suffered a surprise defeat to the much lower-ranked Taylah Preston last week in San Diego. Bronzetti’s level fluctuates a lot. Her last win was against last year’s WTA Elite Trophy semifinalist Daria Kasatkina in Dubai, but she has lost her two matches since in tame fashion. Expect many long rallies in this one, but in slow conditions, Frech’s consistency is likely to prevail.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Karolina Pliskova vs Anna Blinkova
Head-to-head: Pliskova 2-0 Blinkova
After struggling for a few years, Pliskova has been on an incredible run. She won 11 consecutive matches, (excluding her withdrawal before her Doha semifinal against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek) including her first title in four years in Cluj-Napoca, before finally losing to US Open champion Coco Gauff. The slow courts in Indian Wells do not suit the Czech’s game perfectly, but I think she will still triumph. Blinkova’s form has been patchy since winning that famous Australian Open tiebreak against Elena Rybakina, and she will need to be much better to beat a reinvigorated Pliskova.
Prediction: Pliskova in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Rebeka Masarova
Head-to-head: First meeting
It has been a mixed bag for Raducanu since returning at the start of the year from injury. There have been some positive overall performances but also many periods in matches that show she is still far from her best. On paper, this is a good first-round contest for the Briton. Masarova has only won two matches this season and has a 2-6 win/loss record. If Raducanu can implement some of her firepower successfully, it should be enough to overwhelm the Spaniard.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
