It’s time for all the remaining first-round matches of the 2023 WTA BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. Marketa Vondrousova faces a tricky opening draw with Rebecca Marino as the Czech is still trying to rebuild her ranking after missing about half the season last year. We here at LWOT also predict the rest of the day’s action, split between three separate articles. One features Danielle Collins vs Tamara Korpatsch, the second headlines Sloane Stephens vs Sofia Kenin, and the third features Emma Raducanu vs Danka Kovinic. Who do you think will prevail?
WTA Indian Wells Day 2 Predictions
Claire Liu vs Alison Van Uytvanck
Head-to-head: First meeting
We haven’t seen Alison van Uytvanck on the court in about a month, but the Belgian has been playing a bit better than her results suggest this year, coming up against dangerous opposition quite early. Claire Liu should enjoy playing her in the Indian Wells conditions, though, and the Belgian might struggle to keep her error count low. In seven attempts, van Uytvanck hasn’t been past the second round here.
Prediction: Liu in 3
Nuria Parrizas-Diaz vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head-to-head: Cocciaretto 1-0
Both players are coming over from Mexico, where they got very similar results in Merida and Monterrey. Elisabetta Cocciaretto got a round further in both events, but Nuria Parrizas-Diaz was pretty unlucky to face Camila Giorgi and Caroline Garcia as early as the second match. This one could be tighter than it seems with the Spaniard definitely capable of powering through her opponent if she can find some good rhythm off the ground.
Prediction: Parrizas-Diaz in 3
Ysaline Bonaventure vs Varvara Gracheva
Head-to-head: Bonaventure 2-0
Varvara Gracheva has played a lot of tennis in the past week or so, reaching the final in Austin and getting through the qualifying here. That last feat was matched by Ysaline Bonaventure, who defeated the Russian twice last year, including one encounter on an outdoor hard court. The question is if can Gracheva carry over the momentum from her phenomenal WTA Tour run last week. After a very physical match against Anna-Lena Friedsam in the final qualifying round, it doesn’t seem like she has to.
Prediction: Bonaventure in 3
Marketa Vondrousova vs Rebecca Marino
Head-to-head: Vondrousova 2-0
Marketa Vondrousova is outside the Top 100, but couldn’t compete between April and October last year. Perhaps quite soon we’ll see the Czech seeded for events like this. In any case, Rebecca Marino is no pushover and managed to reestablish herself as a tour-level threat after her own struggles with injuries. The higher bounce at Indian Wells should be great for Vondrousova’s forehand and she should be able to maneuver Marino and keep her from piercing through the court with her power.
Prediction: Vondrousova in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
