Naomi Osaka Heads Five-Way Battle For No.1 In Indian Wells

Despite being a two-time grand slam champion at the age of 21, Naomi Osaka finds herself in unfamiliar territory at this year’s BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The world No.1 will be playing in her first WTA tournament as a defending champion. 12 months ago ranked 44th in the world, Osaka scored consecutive wins over Karolina Pliskova, Simona Halep and Daria Kasatkina in Indian Wells to claim her first silverware on the professional tour. Since then, she has grown from strength to strength to become Asia’s first ever world No.1 in tennis.

“Recently a lot of parents have been coming up to me and telling me that their kids look up to me, those words blew me away.” Osaka wrote on Twitter yesterday.
“I was honestly shocked and felt this huge responsibility because I remember how important role models are.
“I’m here at Indian Wells, I see all these kids that look so happy to see me they ask for picture and autographs….Honestly I wanted to cry because my heart feels so full in these moments and I realize it isn’t just about tennis, it’s about inspiring the next generation.” She added.

Whilst relishing the impact she is having on others, the Japanese player faces a tough battle to maintain her top position over the next two weeks. With 1000 points to defend, Osaka is one of five players that could end the Californian tournament as world No.1. In her section of the draw, she faces a potential second round clash with Kristina Mladenovic, who plays China’s Zheng Saisai in her opening match. A player she recently lost to in straight sets at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Also lurking in her section during the first week is Australian Open semi-finalist Danielle Collins and Caroline Wozniacki.

Osaka’s potential path to the title
R1: Bye
R2: Mladenovic
R3: Collins
R16: Wozniacki/Bencic
QF: Pliskova
SF: Kvitova/Kerber
Final: Serena/Halep

The Chasers

Petra Kvitova was a win away from becoming No.1 for the first time in her career at the Australian Open. Losing to Osaka in the final. In order to claim the top position this time round, the Czech needs to reach at least the semi-finals. A tough ask for a player who has only reached the quarter-finals of the event in two out of eight attempts.

“I’m already happy with my season so far. This is the second month of the year, and yeah, I’m pretty happy with that.” Kvitova said following her exit from the Dubai Tennis Championships.

Kvitova faces a potentially dangerous journey in this year’s draw. Her opening match will be against either the formidable Venus Williams or Andrea Petkovic. The only consolation is that she will not play a player ranked no higher than 15th seed Julia Goerges until at least the quarter-finals, if she progresses that far.

https://twitter.com/BNPPARIBASOPEN/status/1102750577581273092

Former champion Halep has won more matches at Indian Wells (21) than any other Premier Mandatory tournament so far in her career. She will be hoping for another deep run in 2019. Last winning a title in Montreal back in August, the Romanian is required to reach the final this year if she wants to reclaim the No.1 spot. Something she hasn’t done since winning the title back in 2015.

Questions remain over how Halep will fair over the fortnight. Whilst she has no injury concerns (that are public knowledge), she admitted that her Achilles impacted her serving and she experienced cramping in her leg during her quarter-final loss to Belinda Bencic in Dubai.

The desert just makes me smile ❤️ #BNPPO19 pic.twitter.com/eS86A3Ygqs

— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) March 6, 2019

The last time a American woman other than Serena Williams topped the rankings was Lindsay Davenport back in 2006. Sloane Stephens has a shot at becoming the ninth player from her country to top the rankings, but is required to reach the final at least.

Her win-loss record at Indian Wells currently stands at 10-8 and she last reached the quarter-finals back in 2014. Although Stephens is known for finding her form whilst playing at the big events. Winning the Miami Open last year and reaching the final of the French Open. However, Stephens have struggled on the tour so far this year. Winning back-to-back matches in one out of four tournaments played.

“I’m not too sad about it. I’m just going to go back and work some more, practice some more and get ready for Indian Wells.” Stephens commented about her latest loss in Acapulco.

SUCCESS !! pic.twitter.com/XhlbxYzyLr

— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) 5 March 2019

Finally, Pliskova has the hardest task of dethroning Osaka from the top spot. Not only does she need results to go in her favour, Pliskova must win the title. Something that has never been achieved by a Czech player in the history of the tournament. The 26-year-old is already a two-time Indian Wells semi-finalist and has a 75% (15-5) winning rate in the tournament heading into this year. Her best record in a premier Mandatory event.

The women’s draw at the BNP Paribas Open will get underway on Wednesday. All of the 32 seeded players have a bye in the first round.

The No.1 scenarios

Note: data obtained via tennistonic.com