Day 3 at WTA Indian Wells Open sees the seeded players compete for the first time. On the women’s side, this includes Ons Jabeur, who is looking for a response after a slow start to the season. The Tunisian’s match is one of four predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT also predict the rest of the day’s matches from Indian Wells in separate articles.In three separate articles, we have match predictions featuring Elena Rybakina vs Nadia Podoroska, Marketa Vondrousova vs Bernarda Pera, and Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins. But who do you think will advance?
WTA Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Marta Kostyuk vs Mai Hontama
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kostyuk was the runner-up last week in San Diego. In the final, she was overwhelmed in the last two sets by the power of Katie Boulter’s shots. The Ukrainian faces a completely different challenge here. Hontama does not hit her shots with much pace. On slow courts in Indian Wells, the often fiery Kostyuk will need to be patient. If she is in the right place mentally, Kostyuk’s potent hitting should be enough to overcome Hontama in Indian Wells.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
Linda Noskova vs Camila Giorgi
Head-to-head: First meeting
It has not been an easy few years for Giorgi, who is currently outside the Top 100. Yet, the 32-year-old produced a sublime performance to defeat San Diego champion Boulter in the opening round. There will be a lot of big hitting from both players. This could be a dangerous opening match for Noskova. The Czech can be rushed when her opponent also hits with a lot of pace, as Dayana Yastremska showed in the Australian Open quarterfinal. Giorgi’s level is unpredictable, but I think the Italian could cause another shock in Indian Wells.
Prediction: Giorgi in 3
Angelique Kerber vs Jelena Ostapenko
Head-to-head: Kerber 2-1 Ostapenko
In terms of playing style, this is a matchup each player will enjoy. Both women have thrived most in their careers when their opponents offer a consistent pace, which is what will happen here. The question is whether Kerber is ready to compete with Ostapenko, after only returning to tennis at the start of this year. The Latvian has had an outstanding start to the season, with last year’s Australian Open semifinalist Victoria Azarenka one of only two players to beat her this season. I expect Kerber to compete well for long periods, but for Ostapenko’s power to hit through the slow conditions and claim victory.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: First meeting
Many were hoping for a repeat of the Australian Open second-round clash between Jabeur and Mirra Andreeva, but this is still a fascinating contest. Volynets overcame Andreeva by not giving her much pace to work with, which the teenager was not used to. In the last couple of seasons, I would not have many doubts about Jabeur overcoming Volynet’s gritty style. However, she has been struggling so much mentally that having too much time to think about her shots could be a bad thing right now. It is not a call made with certainty, but Volynets has a chance of achieving an even bigger upset in Indian Wells.
Prediction: Volynets in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports
