Emma Navarro vs Catherine McNally Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 09/03/2023, 16:00  by Steve Ashfield in Tennis Predictions

World number 73 Caty McNally faces Emma Navarro in the first round of the Indian Wells tournament. Both players received wild cards into the main draw and the winner takes on 30th seeded Leylah Fernandez in round two. McNally only won one of her first three matches this year but her form has improved in recent weeks. The American won three matches to make it into the semi-finals of the Merida Open, losing to Rebecca Peterson in three sets. Her good form continued in last week's ATX Open held in Austin. The second round was reached but Danielle Collins beat her for the loss of just two games. McNally is now 72nd in the live rankings and 55th in the Live WTA Race.

Emma Navarro started this tournament ranked 128th in the world. That was just one place below her career high 127th achieved last September but she's equalled that in the live rankings. Beating McNally will see a new career high set by the American. Navarro has spent most of the year playing on the ITF circuit and with some success. The final was reached in Naples, Florida in January but no top 200 ranked player was beaten. That was followed by reaching the final in Vero Beach, Florida, where Navarro was beaten in the final by Marie Benoit, who was ranked 300th at the time. Her only WTA Tour appearance before this week was in Monterrey when losing to Donna Vekic in the second round. Navarro is 152nd in the Live WTA Race. The pair have only had one previous meeting, that was won in straight sets by McNally three years ago. McNally can get another win here.