The first four WTA Round of 16 matches get underway on day 7 at the Indian Wells Open. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is in action, while there is also a very exciting contest between Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki scheduled. We at LWOT also predict the ATP matches in a separate article, including Jannik Sinner vs Ben Shelton. But which players do you think will win on day 7?
WTA Indian Wells Day 7 Predictions
Marta Kostyuk vs Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova
Head-to-head: Kostyuk 1-1 Pavlyuchenkova
These two met less than two weeks ago in the San Diego Open quarterfinal. Kostyuk won that very tight battle 3-6 6-4 6-3. The Ukrainian will also be well rested after getting a walkover in her last match, while Pavlyuchenkova impressively came from a set down to beat WTA Elite Trophy champion Beatriz Haddad Maia. This is a tough one to call, but if she is at her best, the slow and high-bouncing Indian Wells conditions may suit Pavlyuchenkova slightly more. They should allow her to hit through her powerful groundstrokes, which could rush Kostyuk in a way she does not like.
Prediction: Pavlyuchenkova in 2
Jasmine Paolini vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Paolini defeated Anna Kalinskaya again in the last round, after overcoming her to win the WTA 1000 event in Dubai a couple of weeks ago. In truth, the rematch was a mostly scrappy affair, and Paolini will need to be better here. By contrast, Potapova dismantled Nadia Podoroska 6-1 6-1 in the previous round. Yet, I think the Italian will win a tight match. Her movement and topspin forehand are ideal weapons for disrupting Potapova’s attacking style, but Paolini will need to impose her formidable game better than her previous match.
Prediction: Paolini in 3
Angelique Kerber vs Caroline Wozniacki
Head-to-head: Kerber 8-7 Wozniacki
Setting up this battle of the Grand Slam champions is an amazing achievement from both players. Each returned to the sport recently, but they are already back to playing great tennis. Kerber knocked out Top 20 players Jelena Ostapenko and Veronika Kudermetova in the last two rounds, while Wozniacki outlasted the impressive Katie Volynets in a high-quality encounter in her previous match. Wozniacki is playing more aggressively since her comeback, but at her best, Kerber’s firepower is more devastating. If the German strikes the ball as well as the last two matches, I think she will prevail in Indian Wells, despite how difficult Wozniacki will make it with her defense.
Prediction: Kerber in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Yulia Putintseva
Head-to-head: Swiatek 2-0 Putintseva
Swiatek made a statement with her previous two victories. At this year’s Australian Open, she barely overcame Danielle Collins, before losing to Linda Noskova. By contrast, the world No. 1 swept aside those two players in Indian Wells easily. The slow and high-bouncing conditions suit her game, and she is undoubtedly the favourite to win the tournament. Is there any hope for Putintseva? She did play excellently to beat Madison Keys in the last round. The Kazakhstani will try to be as aggressive as she can, but Swiatek’s recent form in favourable conditions mean the Pole is very likely to triumph again.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
