Day 8 of the WTA 1000 event in Indian Wells will see the conclusion of the round of 16, with several top players in action, including the world #1 Aryna Sabalenka, recent Australian Open champion Madison Keys, and Coco Gauff. It is a star studded lineup that is sure to deliver some very high quality and exciting matches.
WTA Indian Wells Day 8 Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Sonay Kartal
Head-to-head: first meeting
On paper, this is the most one-sided match of this round; while Kartal has been having an extraordinary run, making her way through qualifying and beating some much higher ranked players to get to this stage, Sabalenka is the world #1 for a reason and on her best surface she should be able to advance with relative ease here.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Liudmila Samsonova vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-head: Samsonova 2-0 Paolini
So far, Paolini hasn’t come close to replicating her 2024 level this year and she has been struggling quite a bit this week in Indian Wells, winning both of her previous match by the skin of her teeth. Samsonova seems to be in better form at the moment and she won both of their previous matchups; she might well do it again here and reach the quarters.
Predictions: Samsonova in 3
Donna Vekic vs Madison Keys
Head-to-head: Keys 2-1 Vekic
Keys is yet to lose a match this year and after her extraordinary run to the title in Australia she has her sights set on the Indian Wells trophy. As well as she has been playing this year, it will take a lot to overcome her and it seems unlikely that Vekic will be able to produce the necessary level to get it done here.
Prediction: Keys in 2
Coco Gauff vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Gauff 2-1 Bencic
This matchup is far closer than the rankings would suggest, with Bencic severely underranked and playing well at the moment and Gauff struggling a bit for confidence after her Australian Open loss to Badosa. The pair actually faced at the Australian Open, with Gauff coming through a close match and the same could well happen here.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
