New courts, new event? We’ll see how different the conditions look on Day 1 of the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. One of the highlights on the schedule is a battle of generations between two-time Indian Wells champion 35-year-old Victoria Azarenka (2012, 2016) and 18-year-old former junior World No. 1 Clervie Ngounoue. We predict every match on the slate, split between four articles. The other articles feature Petra Kvitova vs Varvara Gracheva, Caroline Garcia vs Bernarda Pera, and Naomi Osaka vs Camila Osorio. Who do you think is coming out on top?
WTA Indian Wells Day 1 Predictions
Matie Bouzkova vs Suzan Lamens
Head-to-head: Bouzkova 1-0
When they met in the opening round in Guangzhou last year, Suzan Lamens was coming off a very intense week in Osaka. The Dutchwoman had just picked up her first WTA Tour title, including seven wins over the course of the week and two on the last day of the event. She should be fresher this time and it’s been nice to see her prove she’s not a tournament-wonder. Still, Bouzkova is such a strong counter-puncher and has most of the cards in her hand here.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Katerina Siniakova vs Maria Carle
Head-to-head: First meeting
Maria Carle dropped just eight games in her qualifying run, defeating dangerous veterans in Daria Saville and Petra Martic. The Argentinian has had her moments on the main tour, but for the most part she often beats who she’s supposed to before getting a relative beatdown from an opponent with a bit too much quality. At this event that could very well be doubles World No. 1 Katerina Siniakova, who remains a force on both sides of the sport.
Prediction: Siniakova in 2
Ashlyn Krueger vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: Krueger 1-0
Katie Volynets posted impressive wins over Mirra Andreeva and Ons Jabeur at this venue last year, but the new courts might not have to be as pleasant for her game. Especially as she’s coming up against the in-form Ashlyn Krueger, who seems to be right on the verge of a breakthrough result (maybe the WTA 500 final in Abu Dhabi already counts). The conditions haven’t gotten that much faster, but it should be more comfortable for Krueger to dominate with her easy power.
Prediction: Krueger in 2
Victoria Azarenka vs Clervie Ngounoue
Head-to-head: First meeting
18-year-old Clervie Ngounoue is a former junior star who’s now 15-3 on the professional circuit this year. The American has picked up seven wins in a row, including a stacked ITF title in Birmingham in February and two victories in the qualifying here. Meanwhile, Victoria Azarenka is showing signs of an accelerating decline with just a couple of hard-fought wins in 2025 so far. The 2023 Wimbledon girls’ singles champion doesn’t seem outmatched by her at the moment, not at all.
Prediction: Ngounoue in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
