Day 3 at WTA Indian Wells will feature the debuts of many of the seeds, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, who is currently on the comeback trail. It should be a fantastic day of action in the California desert, with plenty of tight and gripping matches on the women’s side. In three separate articles, we have match predictions featuring Elena Rybakina vs Nadia Podoroska, Marketa Vondrousova vs Bernarda Pera, and Ons Jabeur vs Katie Volynets. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Donna Vekic vs Caroline Wozniacki
Head-to-head: Wozniacki 2-0 Vekic
Wozniacki leads the head-to-head 2-0, but both encounters happened before she left the tour. As it stands right now, Vekic is the better player and much higher ranked, while Wozniacki hasn’t really had any deep runs since returning, despite a good performance at the US Open last year. She is still a former #1 and has the ability to win here, of course, but Vekic should have the edge at this point.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Tatjana Maria vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Paolini 2-2 Maria
Paolini is fresh off a spectacular run to the title in Dubai and is currently ranked No. 14, her highest-ever ranking. She also beat Maria in straight sets at the Australian Open, a result that is quite likely to repeat itself here. At this point, Paolini is clearly the better player of the two and should have the edge at WTA Indian Wells.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Nuria Parrizas-Diaz vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Parrizas-Diaz had a great run through qualifying, but Pavlyuchenkova is likely to be a step too far for her. Pavlyuchenkova has been having a good season so far, with back-to-back semifinals in Linz and Doha before a couple of disappointing results in Dubai and San Diego. She should have far too much for Parrizas-Diaz.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Danielle Collins
Head-to-head: Swiatek 5-1 Collins
Swiatek and Collins have a very interesting rivalry at the Australian Open, with Collins beating Swiatek in the 2022 semifinals and the world No. 1 winning a very tight 3-set match earlier this year. However, outside Australia, Swiatek has dominated this matchup, as she does most matchups. The world No. 1 is unlikely to be upset here.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
