The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells is the third WTA 1000 tournament on the calendar. Main draw action begins on Wednesday, March 5. It promises plenty of thrilling matches with the entry list featuring the entire top 10 in the draw. In this article, we list the five women with the strongest chance to win the title.
Top 5 Favorites To Win Indian Wells Women’s Tournament
5. Madison Keys
Madison Keys is a questionable call, but provided she has fully recovered from the leg injury that kept her out of action in the Middle East, then she will be competitive. Keys also enters this year’s Sunshine Swing with the aura of a Grand Slam champion who will no doubt strike fear into her opponents. The American memorably won her maiden Slam at the 2025 Australian Open.
4. Coco Gauff
The fact that Coco Gauff hasn’t lifted a title on home soil since the 2023 US Open should be an added incentive for her in Indian Wells. The 20-year-old endured a frustrating spell in Doha and Dubai, succumbing to early exits and halting her World No. 1 bid. Outside the United Cup, Gauff will be chasing her first WTA title of the season.
3. Aryna Sabalenka
Few people would bet against Aryna Sabalenka hitting a purple patch very soon. Sabalenka underperformed in the two WTA 1000s in the Middle East, losing before the quarterfinal in Doha and Dubai. Indian Wells, however, remains one of her favorite spots on the calendar. She was a finalist back in 2023.
2. Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek remains without a title of any kind this year as March begins. It’s an unusual time for the Pole, whose patience under new coach Wim Fisette is already being tested. There is no cause for concern in the Swiatek camp, and the World No. 2 will be hungry to get her hands on some hardware this month. She has an excellent record in this event, winning it twice in her career including last season.
1. Mirra Andreeva
One of the top performers in the Middle East Swing was Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva. The 17-year-old won the biggest WTA title of her career in Dubai and the is youngest champion in this tournament category since the format was introduced in 2009. It was a statement title victory in which Andreeva beat three Grand Slam champions. Andreeva also celebrated her top 10 debut after the tournament (although it was short-lived and has since been overtaken in the rankings). But the youngster has proven time and again in the last few months, that she is now firmly part of the elite and doesn’t have any points to defend this month.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
