WTA Indian Wells Day 5 brings some top-notch matches. Iga Swiatek and Linda Noskova meet for the third time. Can the Czech repeat this season’s win against the top seed like she did in Australia? Or will Swiatek avenge that defeat and move on in Indian Wells?
WTA Indian Wells Day 5
Jasmine Paolini vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head to Head: Paolini 2-1 Kalinskaya
Jasmine Paolini is the 13th seed, and Anna Kalinskaya is the 21st seed. The Italian won in straight sets in the last round to get here, while Kalinskaya needed three sets to battle past American Taylor Townsend. Having already met twice this season and split the honors, this match will be very exciting. Paolini’s consistency from the baseline should be the difference.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
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Veronika Kudermetova vs Angelique Kerber
Head to Head: First meeting
Veronika Kudermetova is the 17th seed and faces unseeded Angelique Kerber. The German stunned No. 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko in the last round. Kerber leads that head-to-head now 3-1. Kudermetova had a straight sets win last round to set up this meeting. Kerber could suffer from “seed bounce,” but the German is experienced and a Grand Slam champion, so anything could happen.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Anastasia Potapova vs Nadia Podoroska
Head to Head: First Meeting
Anastasia Potapova is the No. 28 seed and squares off against qualifier Nadia Podoroska. The seed is the favourite on paper for obvious reasons. However, Podoroska has been impressive so far. In the four matches the Argentine has played in the desert, she has only dropped two sets. Going against a seeded player, though, is much different. This will be tricky for Podoroska
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Iga Swiatek vs Linda Noskova
Head to Head: Swiatek 1-1 Noskova
Iga Swiatek is the top seed in Indian Wells and dominated Danielle Collins in the last round to ease through. However, her opponent, Linda Noskova, has already beaten the world No. 1 this year. At the first Grand Slam of the year, the Czech lost the first set before taking the next two to put out the top seed. Swiatek will want to avenge that loss. Noskova will be full of confidence that she can repeat this success. It should be a terrific battle.
Prediction: Noskova in 3
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Main Photo Credit: Andy Abeyta – The Desert Sun – USA TODAY NETWORK
