The second stop of the WTA 1000 tournaments is the BNP Paribas Open, played in the most pristine surroundings near Palm Springs, California, in the Coachella Valley. In this article, we shall delve into the list of favorites, players to watch, and dark horses to win the most prestigious WTA tournament outside the four Slams.
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WTA Indian Wells 2023 Betting Tips & Predictions
Women’s Singles: Favorites to Win the 2023 BNP Paribas Open
Iga Swiatek is the defending champion of the BNP Paribas Open. The Polish world No. 1 is the overwhelming favorite to retain her crown. But that doesn’t mean there is a shortage of challengers.
In fact, the WTA field is at full strength for the 34th edition of the Indian Wells tournament with only Simona Halep being the only absentee in the world’s top 20.
Swiatek has lost three times this year, which is the same number as when she jetted to California at this time last year. All three players who have beaten Swiatek in 2023 are in the draw at Indian Wells.
We still reckon the Pole will likely walk away with her second title of the season, but sometimes all it takes is a streaky player hitting her stride – akin to what Barbora Krejcikova pulled off in Dubai. If you would like to go for the long shot, the Czech is a whopping 14/1 to win her second WTA 1000 in a couple of weeks.
Among the top-5 favorites, Aryna Sabalenka possesses an abundance of power and penetrative ground strokes to break down the Pole. We haven’t been fortunate enough to get this matchup in Australia or the Middle East, but they could still lock horns in the final here. The Belarusian destroyed Swiatek at the WTA Finals last year although she trails 4-2 in their head-to-head.
- Women’s Singles Winner Prediction: Iga Swiatek: 3/2 (bet365)
- Women’s Singles Winner Dark Horse Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka: 5/1 (bet365)
Women’s Singles: Players to Watch at Indian Wells
I think the players mentioned here have already broken new ground or at least establish themselves as top-20 caliber players. But still, last month, I was blown away by the immense potential of Liudmila Samsonova.
The Russian was one net cord away from clinching the Abu Dhabi Open last month before Belinda Bencic snatched the title right from her grasp. Look at the players she defeated in the UAE’s capital – Krejcikova, Kudermetova, Qinwen Zheng, and nearly adding a red-hot Bencic to that list.
Samsonova also played and won an instant classic at the Dubai Championships when she beat Paula Badosa in over three hours. It’s been a pleasure watching the 24-year-old, who lest we forget, went on a rampage in the second half of last season. This fortnight might be the continuation of Samsonova’s rise towards even more thrilling heights.
Belinda Bencic continues to set the pace in 2023. She has bagged two titles and has registered the most match wins of any WTA player this year with 15. While the decision to play in Dubai wasn’t rational, she will be refreshed after taking two weeks of rest time. Keep an eye on the Swiss who is chasing big prizes this year. Bencic is 15/1 to win the tournament.
Alycia Parks and Linda Noskova are two young players brimming with confidence and oozing top-10 potential. But neither player arrives at Indian Wells in a rich vein of form. Parks’ form in particular is a little alarming since she won her maiden WTA title. But it’s all part of the learning curve.
To Win the Tournament: Liudmila Samsonova: 30/1 (bet365)
Women’s Singles: Dark Horses to Reach Second Week at Indian Wells
The Donna Vekic success story came in full swing in Monterrey last weekend. The Croatian star sailed to her first WTA title since 2021, beating Caroline Garcia in three sets.
That victory could have a huge impact on Vekic’s chances at Indian Wells. I think what is certain, Vekic’s belief is unwavering, she knows she’s got the game to take out the WTA’s best on any day, as she proved in Mexico.
She hasn’t lost before the quarterfinal this year at any tournament, and we fancy her chances of keeping that run intact. We will update the odds once the draw is out for the quarters market.
It’s not cogent to keep off American names from the list of dark horses. And one name that fits the bill is Shelby Rogers. Rogers famously made the quarterfinal at Indian Wells in 2021 after getting a slightly soft draw. She was in good touch during the Middle East Swing and has a knack for upsetting the odds.
If you are looking for an outsider to gatecrash the party, then look no further than World No. 25 Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian is a menace in 2023, reaching her first Australian Open quarterfinal in January.
Ostapenko is irrepressible when she goes in full-swing mode and these conditions are absolutely perfect for the former Roland Garros champion to thrive. If you like shorter prices, we recommend taking the Latvian to win her quarter (odds for this will available upon release of the draw).
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