The women’s draw has taken place for the 29th WTA BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.
Serena Williams will be the headline act in the tournament as she bids to win her first title at the event since 2001. Williams and her sister Venus boycotted Indian Wells between 2002-2014 after experiencing racist chants during one edition of the tournament. This year Williams isn’t just fighting for the title, she is also fighting to retain her No.1 ranking. A title will secure her place at the top of the rankings, but crashing out prior to the semifinals could allow Angelique Kerber to once again dethrone her. Furthermore, if Kerber reaches the fourth round or better, the 35-year-old needs to reach the final. If there is a final between the two, the winner takes the No.1 position.
Granted a first round bye like the other 32 seeds, 35-year-old Williams could face potential clashes against Monica Puig, Irina Camelia Begu and Timea Bacsinszky on route to the quarter-finals. One of the biggest tests the top seed could face is Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals. The Ukrainian 10th seed, who defeated Williams at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has already claimed two WTA titles this season. Svitolina could have to overcome Garbine Muguruza if she wishes to reach the last eight. French Open champion Muguruza is set to play in her first tournament since admitting to an Achilles injury.
Two-time semifinalist Kerber will face no player seeded inside the top 13 during her first three matches. Heading the bottom half, the German could play her compatriot Andrea Petkovic in her opening match (if she defeats Vania King). The third round could seed the second seed tested against Yulia Putintseva. The Kazakh player defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova and Dominika Cibulkova on route to the st. Petersburg final last month, but experienced a disappointing performance during the recent Middle East swing of the tour. Future opponents could also feature Elena Vesnina and Agnieszka Radwanska.
Third seed Karolina Pliskova faces a potential rematch with Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko. The Czech was taken to three sets by Ostapenko earlier this year before prevailing 10-8 in the final set. Things don’t get any easier for the US Open runner-up with Caroline Wozniacki and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova standing in the way if she wishes to replicate her run to the semifinals in Indian Wells from last year.
Hindered by a knee injury during the first part of 2017, Simona Halep took a month away from the tour to prepare for the first Premier Mandatory event of the year. The world No.4 has only won two matches this season. Aiming to return to winning ways, the Romanian is on course for a third round clash against either Kristina Mladenovic or Eugenie Bouchard. Sam Stosur and Anastasija Sevastova are potential round four opponents.
Potential #BNPPO17 WTA QFs
S. Williams v Muguruza
Pliskova v Kuznetsova
Cibulkova v Halep
Radwanska v Kerber— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) 6 March 2017
