Several terrific WTA matches are scheduled for Day 3 in Indian Wells. Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, and 2021 US Open winner Emma Raducanu are among those who will start their campaigns. All the other contests, including Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova and Victoria Mboko vs Kimberly Birrell, are predicted in our other articles. But who will advance in the desert?

WTA Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Maya Joint vs Jaqueline Cristian

Head-to-head: Joint 1-0 Cristian

Cristian’s 4-6 6-4 7-6 victory over Janice Tjen was the most thrilling WTA match of the tournament so far. The Romanian must recover swiftly for the challenge of Joint. I feel that defeating an excellent mover like the 19-year-old in the slow conditions in Indian Wells will be too hard a task for Cristian, despite how many excellent shots she hit against Tjen.

Prediction: Joint in 2

Naomi Osaka vs Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva

Head-to-head: First meeting

This will be Osaka’s first match since the Australian Open third round due to an abdominal injury. Kasintseva fought through in three sets against Caty McNally. Although a good win, McNally’s poor level heavily contributed to the result. Osaka might be somewhat rusty, but she will likely play at a higher level and defeat Kasintseva.

Prediction: Osaka in 2

Emma Raducanu vs Anastasia Zakharova

Head-to-head: Zakharova 1-0 Raducanu

Raducanu, currently without a full-time coach after splitting from Francisco Roig, had a poor Middle Eastern swing after reaching the final in Cluj-Napoca. Zakharova has played well this season and crushed Ella Seidel in the previous round. Right now, I do not trust Raucanu enough to be consistent in matches. That could prove decisive against the confident Zakharova.

Prediction: Zakharova in 3

Amanda Anisimova vs Anna Blinkova

Head-to-head: Anisimova 1-0 Blinkova

Overcoming Anisimova would be a huge challenge for Blinkova at any event, but doing it in Indian Wells will be particularly hard. The two-time Grand Slam finalist usually thrives most when she has time on her shots, which the conditions in California offer. How high the ball bounces also suits her, and I cannot see Blinkova causing an upset.

Prediction: Anisimova in 2

Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch – Imagn Images