From Swiatek to Venus: Five big storylines for WTA Indian Wells

Elena Rybakina defends her title at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, starting this week, but with Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff all chasing glory, it’s not going to be easy. Here are five big storylines to follow in the women’s singles.

Which Iga Swiatek will turn up?

Will it be the all-conquering world No 1, who when she’s on her game remains the best player in the world, as she showed in Doha? Or will it be the Iga Swiatek who can show occasional vulnerability on a hard court, who can struggle to right the ship when things start going wrong, as happened in Dubai? The good news for Swiatek is that she’s had a week off to rest and get herself fresh going into an event she won so brilliantly in 2022, when she was beginning her famous winning streak. Expect her to be hungry and motivated.

Will Sabalenka hit top form again?

Aryna Sabalenka won her second Australian Open title in impressive style in January but looked a little rusty when she returned in Dubai, losing to Donna Vekic in her first match. Indian Wells had not been her best hunting ground until last year, when she made the final, so she should take good memories into this year. A bye into round two could be dangerous for her but if she gets through that first match, the confidence she has on all surfaces should come through.

Rybakina trying to defend her title

After a second-round loss in Australia, Elena Rybakina has quickly rediscovered top form, winning in Abu Dhabi and reaching the final in Doha. The Kazakh has the power to hit through the slow courts in Indian Wells, as she showed when winning the title last year, and she also seems to thrive taking on the biggest names in the sport. She’s certainly not afraid of anyone.

Can OSAKA AND Wozniacki find top form?

Naomi Osaka had a bit of a wake-up call at the Australian Open, where she realised just how tough this comeback might be. The Japanese is a previous winner in Indian Wells, though, so she should like the conditions. Caroline Wozniacki‘s return to the Tour feels like it’s stalled a little, this year, after such an encouraging beginning in 2023, when she made the last 16 at the US Open. The Dane loves hard courts and loves Indian Wells, where she won the title in 2011 and made the final on two other occasions. If there’s anywhere she can rediscover some top form and pick up some momentum, then it’s here. It won’t be easy, with a first-round match against Lin Zhu a tough start.

How will Venus Williams fare?

Like Wozniacki, Venus Williams has a wildcard into the event, reflecting her incredible influence on the sport over the years. After 15 years away from Indian Wells, from 2002 to 2016, Venus had been back every year up to 2019 but now returns, aged 43 and just a couple of months short of her 44th birthday. No one begrudges Venus her place in the draw and she’s capable of winning a match, if all goes well, but it might be more a question of how her body holds up than anything else.

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