Indian Wells Day 6 preview: Swiatek faces Andreescu; Rybakina, Jabeur, Raducanu in action
Third-round action continues on Day 6 of the BNP Paribas Open. It's highlighted by the second edition of a potential rivalry between defending champion Iga Swiatek
Here are the top five picks from the order of play.
More from Indian Wells: Scores | Order of play | No one does it like Karolina Muchova
[1] Iga Swiatek
Head-to-head: Swiatek leads 1-0
A second pro meeting between the second- and third-youngest active Grand Slam champions on tour. Their first was in the Rome quarterfinals last year. Andreescu was playing the third tournament of her comeback following a six-month mental health hiatus; Swiatek was in the midst of the 37-match winning streak that cemented her as a dominant World No.1. Swiatek, who had also won their only junior encounter, took it 7-6(2), 6-0. But Andreescu was the only player who even took Swiatek to a tiebreak in Rome, and that nip-and-tuck first set was a glimpse into the threat she could potentially pose.
Highlights: Swiatek d. Liu, R2 | Andreescu d. Stearns, R2
It wouldn't be accurate to suggest that they're meeting on Andreescu's turf this time round. The Canadian, who won Indian Wells in 2019, certainly prefers North American hard courts; but as defending champion, it's as much Swiatek's turf too.
It's also hard to look past the astonishing form Swiatek showed in her 65-minute opening rout of Claire Liu, though in Andreescu's three-set victory over Peyton Stearns
[4] Ons Jabeur
Head-to-head: Jabeur leads 3-2 (Vondrousova leads 1-0 on hard courts and 1-0 in 2023)
When Ons Jabeur
It's no surprise. Marketa Vondrousova
Highlights: Jabeur d. Frech, R2
"Bad thing since she's playing good," said Jabeur, having noted Vondrousova's 6-1, 6-1 second-round win over No.28 seed Marie Bouzkova
Jabeur also admitted after defeating Magdalena Frech
[30] Leylah Fernandez
Head-to-head: Garcia leads 1-0
In another Australian Open rematch, Caroline Garcia
Highlights: Garcia d. Galfi, R2 | Fernandez d. Navarro, R2
Whether 2021 US Open runner-up Fernandez can reverse that result will come down to how both players perform on big points. Since they last played, Garcia's reliability on that front has slipped slightly. She's reached two finals, in Lyon and Monterrey, but was denied in tight matches by Alycia Parks
[10] Elena Rybakina
Head-to-head: Badosa leads 4-1 (including 1-0 on outdoor hard courts and 2-0 in 2022)
Paula Badosa
Having said that, all of their contests have been tight: every one has either featured a tiebreak or gone to three sets. And Rybakina, who reached her second major final at the Australian Open, is still on an upward curve.
Highlights: Rybakina d. Kenin, R2
The location should help Badosa. She rocketed into the Top 10 after winning her first WTA 1000 title here in 2021, and backed it up with a semifinal run last year. She's now fallen outside the Top 20, so a statement showing at a tournament where the slow conditions enhance her physical game would be rather useful. Badosa will be bidding for her first Top 10 win in 10 months, since beating Ons Jabeur
Emma Raducanu
Head-to-head: 0-0
After the uncertainty surrounding Emma Raducanu
Highlights: Raducanu d. Linette, R2 | Haddad Maia d. Siniakova, R2
The former US Open champion's tactics and forehand have been spot-on this week so far, but her next test will be the most physical so far. Beatriz Haddad Maia
Also in action
No.8 seed Daria Kasatkina
No.23 seed Martina Trevisan
The only third-round clash of unseeded players in the top half of the draw pits Bernarda Pera
