Angelique Kerber vs Ajla Tomljanovic Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 12/10/2021, 10:04  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 12/10/2021 at 11:50 in Tennis Predictions

Tenth seeded Angelique Kerber faces Ajla Tomljanovic in the last 16 at Indian Wells. The winner of this match takes on either Barbora Krejcikova or Paula Badosa in the last eight. Kerber is the world number 15 but up a place in the live rankings. The former world number one began this year in 25th place and has been as low as 28th.  The first five months of the year saw the German fail to reach a quarter final. Her ranking has improved thanks to a good grass court season. Kerber won the title in Homburg, Germany and then made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon, losing to Ashleigh Barty. Back on hard courts, Kerber got to the last four in the Western & Southern Open, again losing to Barty, who's not in this tournament. This week has seen her beat Katerina Siniakova in three sets (middle set lost) and Daria Kasatkina in three, again losing the second set. Kerber has won both of her previous meetings against her opponent. Both were in Grand Slam events with victories in France in 2015 and the US last year with no sets being dropped.

Ajla Tomljanovic is the world number 47 but was down at 80th five months ago. Her best ever ranking is 39th achieved two years ago. Two wins in this tournament have seen her rise to 43rd in the live rankings. Her 2021 didn't get off to a good start with her losing five of her first nine matches. A poor clay court season followed and she didn't reach a quarter final until doing so at Wimbledon. Five tournaments played after that Grand Slam again saw her failing to get to the last eight. This week, she's beaten two seeds with victories over fifth seeded Garbine Muguruza and Tamara Zidansek (26th). Kerber looks in good form though and can be backed to get the win here. Have a side bet on a three-setter.