Ajla Tomljanovic vs Catherine McNally Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 05/03/2025, 05:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 05/03/2025 at 06:41 in Tennis Predictions

Qualifier Ajla Tomljanovic takes on wild card Caty McNally in round one at Indian Wells. The winner of this match will face 24th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova in round two. Here's our match prediction.

Tomljanovic had a run to the semi-finals in Austin last week. That finally ended with a loss to eventual champion Jessica Pegula but she did take a set off her. That has taken the Australian to 94th in the rankings but she still had to qualify to get into the main draw of this outdoor hard court tournament.

The qualifying rounds saw the 31-year-old win one match in straight sets and then received a walkover in the final qualifying round. That was due to the withdrawal of Zeynep Sonmez.

Caty McNally has been as high as 54th in the world but is currently down at 491st. The American had elbow surgery last year and didn't play between February and November. Since her return, the 23-year-old has mainly played on the ITF circuit.

There has been some success at that lower level with one tournament won in December 2024 and a semi-final last month. McNally was due to play in Austin last week but withdrew from her first round match.

We tip Ajla Tomljanovic to win this match.