Karolina Muchova vs Elena Rybakina Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 15/03/2023, 07:56  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 15/03/2023 at 14:59 in Tennis Predictions

Tenth seed Elena Rybakina bids to reach the Indian Wells semi-final for the first time. To do that she needs to defeat unseeded Karolina Muchova in what is her second successive quarter final in this tournament. The 2022 Wimbledon champion began this tournament ranked tenth and can rise to ninth if getting further than Maria Sakkari. In the WTA Live Race, the 23-year-old is in second place thanks to her run to the final of the Australian Open this year. This is her second quarter final since that Grand Slam, though another might have been reached in Dubai if not withdrawing from her last 16 match against Coco Gauff. This tournament has seen her defeat Sofia Kenin (two tie-breaks required), 21st seeded Paula Badosa and recent ATX Open finalist Varvara Gracheva. Only three games were lost in that latter match and Rybakina is yet to drop a set so far.

Karolina Muchova is making her way back up the rankings after being out injured. This tournament began with her ranked 76th but was as high as 19th in May 2021. Her wins in Indian Wells have taken her up to 55th and another 11 places will be climbed if beating Rybakina. Muchova is even higher in the Live WTA Race and is 19th after her fourth round three-set win over Marketa Vondrousova. Before that, Muchova had won three matches but again needed three sets when beating Yulia Putintseva and 23rd seed Martina Trevisan. Muchova is yet to go a set down and was impressive when beating 14th seeded Viktoria Azarenka in the second round. This is only her second match against Rybakina, the other was a win for Muchova in the 2019 US Open. Rybakina was only ranked 69th at the time and can get the win here.