There are four blockbuster WTA Indian Wells quarterfinal matches scheduled. Teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, and Australian Open champion Madison Keys are among those who will be in action. As always, we here at LWOT predict all the action, but which players do you expect to prevail?
WTA Indian Wells Quarterfinal Predictions
Aryna Sabalenka vs Liudmila Samsonova
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 2-2 Samsonova
Sabalenka’s hammering of Sonay Kartal in the last round was unsurprising, but Samsonova’s swift 6-0 6-4 victory against Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini caused more shock. She will almost certainly need to play that well to challenge Sabalenka. Although the Belarusian has had issues in this matchup, she comfortably won their most recent meeting last year in Cincinnati. This promises to be an entertaining battle filled with powerful hitting, but I think Sabalenka will stay the more consistent.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Madison Keys vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-head: Keys 2-2 Bencic
Both women fought back impressively in the last round. Keys extended her incredible winning run to 15 matches by beating Donna Vekic after being two points away from losing in the second set, while Belinda Bencic also recovered from a set down against Coco Gauff. It is brave to predict against Keys in her current form, but Bencic might have what it takes to stop her winning streak. The Swiss can get joy in the backhand-to-backhand exchanges since she is among the best off that wing. Her depth in the rallies has also been superb during the tournament, which is particularly crucial to defeating Keys.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Qinwen Zheng
Head-to-head: Swiatek 6-1 Zheng
Part of what made Swiatek’s loss to Zheng in the 2024 Olympic semifinal at Roland Garros so surprising is how much this matchup favors her, as proven by the head-to-head. The Pole is better suited than any player in the women’s game to dealing with Zheng’s heavy topspin forehand. Swiatek’s backhand, the shot that unexpectedly let her down at the Olympics, is also better than Zheng’s at its best. The world No. 2’s superb level during the tournament so far and the conditions being too slow for Zheng to serve herself out of trouble makes Swiatek a heavy favorite.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Mirra Andreeva vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: First meeting
Andreeva played almost flawlessly in a 6-1 6-2 thrashing of Elena Rybakina in the last round. Svitolina might have tried to make this a lengthy and grueling match a few years ago, but the Ukrainian now plays much more aggressively. However, Andreeva has comfortably redirected aggression on the slow courts in Indian Wells so far. Svitolina played well against Jessica Pegula to set up this meeting and her chances should not be completely ruled out, but recent Dubai Championships winner Andreeva is very tough to beat at the moment.
Prediction: Andreeva in 2
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
