The first two quarterfinals at WTA Indian Wells are set, and both matches promise high-quality tennis. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our preview and prediction for both matches, but who will advance to the last four in the Californian desert?
WTA Indian Wells Quarterfinal Predictions
Linda Noskova vs Talia Gibson
Head-to-head: first meeting
Linda Noskova powered into her first quarterfinal of the season with a ruthless display, dismantling the crowd favourite Alexandra Eala 6–2 6–0 in just 55 minutes. The 21-year-old Czech controlled proceedings from the first ball, striking cleanly and giving Eala little room to breathe. It hasn’t been the smoothest start to the year for Noskova, but with three straight wins now under her belt, her game appears to be building momentum at the right moment.
Next up is Australia’s Talia Gibson, the surprise package of the draw. The qualifier stunned Jasmine Paolini, adding another scalp to an already impressive run that includes wins over Ekaterina Alexandrova and Clara Tauson. Noskova will start as the favourite, but Gibson arrives in red-hot form after six consecutive victories, and after toppling three top-20 players in a row who she had no business defeating, the Australian has already shown she can trouble anyone.
Prediction: Gibson in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Victoria Mboko
Head-to-head: Sabalenka 1-0 Mboko
World #1 Aryna Sabalenka kept her charge toward a maiden Indian Wells Open title rolling with a composed straight-sets win over 2018 champion Naomi Osaka. Sabalenka’s serve once again set the tone, landing most of her first deliveries and never facing a break as she powered to a straight-sets victory. The Belarusian has now won 14 of her 15 matches in 2026, underlining the dominant form that has made her the player to beat in the desert.
Next up is rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko, who stormed into the quarter-finals with an emphatic 6–4 6–1 win over Amanda Anisimova. Mboko barely blinked on serve and overwhelmed the American in the second set, but she’ll face a familiar challenge after losing to Sabalenka in straight sets in Melbourne earlier this year. Her fearless aggression could test the top seed, yet Sabalenka’s relentless serving and ability to control rallies should make her the favourite to advance once again.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 3
Main photo credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
