{"id":12655,"date":"2019-03-08T18:00:24","date_gmt":"2019-03-08T23:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=12655"},"modified":"2019-03-08T16:09:39","modified_gmt":"2019-03-08T21:09:39","slug":"wta-indian-wells-day-4-predictions-including-naomi-osaka-vs-kristina-mladenovic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2019\/03\/08\/wta-indian-wells-day-4-predictions-including-naomi-osaka-vs-kristina-mladenovic\/","title":{"rendered":"WTA Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions Including Naomi Osaka vs Kristina Mladenovic"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday play brings some of the seeded players onto the court to start their run at Indian Wells. Here\u2019s a look at four matches worth the watch.<\/p>\n<h2>WTA Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions<\/h2>\n<h3>Petra Kvitova vs Venus Williams<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Head to head:\u00a0 <\/strong>Kvitova 4-2 V. Williams<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1126868069\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 67.34007% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1126868069?et=B5QP7cowSnxrt2BC5oO5qw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=5r4vsWV6o4Yzx6MWwRvI1OqvStZ4BkBWOlir4fabSdY=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Venus\u2019 opening round at Indian Wells was anything but comfortable, losing the second set to Petkovic 0-6. Not sure what was going on, but her service speed was in the 80s \u2013 far from her typical 90s to 100s. Her left foot barely left the ground in the service motion. This was not the aggressive, powerful Venus Williams we\u2019re used to seeing. A medical timeout had her blood pressure checked which is never a good sign. But she played on and eventually dug deep to win this match. When she meets a red-hot Petra Kvitova in round two, she\u2019ll need a lot more game from the start. Kvitova has made the finals in two of her last three tournaments. And, she is considered one of the players who can win this tournament. Unless Venus can correct Wednesday\u2019s difficulties, this match will end quickly.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Kvitova in 3<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Kirsten Flipkens vs Danielle Collins<\/h3>\n<p>No history<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1134391967\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1134391967?et=0b0GRxw-RUZy2XPGAecg4Q&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=psTZDjArCUP1VzuTmp8uohbmzFn49xrivOk0OVYCgvw=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>I can\u2019t tell you how many times I think Danielle Collins can\u2019t win the match. I&#8217;ll write a prediction about the it only to see Collins prove me horrifically wrong. So, this time out, I won&#8217;t betting against her. The World #25 University of Virginia alum has some serious weapons \u2013 raw power, good movement and the swagger of a champion. She\u2019s taken out some top tier players, handing Angelique Kerber one of her most stunning losses at the Australian Open. Kirsten Flipkens won her opening round against Eugenie Bouchard. Her variety of shots along with a strategic game led her to a three set victory. But, those weapons won\u2019t be enough against Collins\u2019 power \u2026 and ambition.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Collins in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Caroline Wozniacki<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Head to head: <\/strong>\u00a0Wozniacki 2-0 Alexandrova<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1084446032\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1084446032?et=i4732VkXRUVldNDPlI3Q_g&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=MHdjP0qF_rz1S80KljgKGRM_Sq5oUffBZ-Os8AXLZvw=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Caroline Wozniacki hasn\u2019t played a tournament since the Australian Open. She missed the Qatar Open and Dubai Duty Free thanks to a viral illness. For the first time in years, she\u2019s dropped out of the Top 10. But, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordontennis.com\/2019\/03\/03\/you-would-be-wrong-to-count-out-caroline-wozniacki\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">don\u2019t count out this tournament tough Dane<\/a>. Perhaps no one on the Women\u2019s Tour can defend better than Wozniacki. After a first round bye, she begins her run to a second Indian Wells title taking on Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova. While Alexandrova won her opening match against Rebecca Peterson, it was a close three setter, which exposed her weaknesses. And it\u2019s these very weaknesses upon which Wozniakci will capitalize.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Wozniacki in 2<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>Naomi Osaka vs Kristina Mladenovic<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Head to head: <\/strong>Osaka 1-1 Mladenovic<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1130907587\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.835014% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1130907587?et=333fqcYaQBx_EKLznViAiw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=k5T1xuyQcQVGQANHtMBf5NVILTGQF_nw0JhpBLzDF_E=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"397\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Having just won against her in Dubai, you\u2019d think that Mladenovic likes her changes. And, I\u2019d be tempted to agree except Osaka will come out firing, looking to cruise to a straight sets win. Osaka\u2019s coaching change in the form of \u00a0Jermaine Jenkins, once the hitting partner of Venus Williams, will serve to elevate her game. In order to win this match, Mladenovic will have to up her first serve percentage. Without a sharper servce, Mladenovic has no hope of competing. While Mladenovic will surely make it a match, I can\u2019t see her ejecting the 2018 Indian Wells champion.<\/p>\n<p><em>Prediction: Osaka in 3<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1129239015\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 72.05387% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/1129239015?et=w9KvHtk_T9pP5u4y3ZGj1A&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=FQVnh-sKS3IYOuhPXlRXrqgiuZN2c29MRSObo49kQT8=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"428\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Saturday play brings some of the seeded players onto the court to start their run at Indian Wells. Here\u2019s a look at four matches worth the watch. WTA Indian Wells Day 4 Predictions Petra Kvitova vs Venus Williams Head to head:\u00a0 Kvitova 4-2 V. Williams Embed from Getty Images Venus\u2019 opening round at Indian Wells [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1838,"featured_media":12660,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[69,4],"tags":[4951,831,2754,46,2773,4184,4123,4970,476,101,70,15,4936],"class_list":["post-12655","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-predictions","category-wta","tag-2019-bnp-paribas-open","tag-bnp-paribas-open","tag-bnp-paribas-open-predictions","tag-caroline-wozniacki","tag-danielle-collins","tag-ekaterina-alexandrova","tag-kirsten-flipkens","tag-kristine-mladenovic","tag-naomi-osaka","tag-petra-kvitova","tag-venus-williams","tag-wta","tag-wta-indian-wells-predictions"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12655","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1838"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12655"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12655\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12660"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12655"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12655"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12655"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}