Paula Badosa vs Victoria Azarenka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 16/10/2021, 07:41  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 16/10/2021 at 14:27 in Tennis Predictions

Just as in the men's singles at Indian Wells, all of the top 20 seeds have been knocked out of the women's singles. Yes, every single one of them! Victoria Azarenka is the 27th seed and takes on Paula Badosa (seeded 21st) in the final. For Azarenka, this is the chance to win this tournament for the third time and the first since 2016. It's her first Masters final since winning in Cincinnati last year. Each of her last four Masters finals have been won, that goes all the way back to 2013. Form this year has been inconsistent with a few injuries getting in the way. Her ranking had slipped to 32nd at the start of this tournament but she's up to 26th in the live rankings and would be 19th if winning this title. Wins have come against Magda Linette, Petra Kvitova, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Jessica Pegula and Jelena Ostapenko, after losing the first set.

Paula Badosa had never been in the main draw at Indian Wells before this year. Her only other visit was two years ago, when losing in the first qualifying round. This is only her second WTA Tour final, the other being in Belgrade earlier this year when beating Ana Konjuh. The Spaniard has been as low as 73rd in the rankings this year but is up to 17th in the live rankings and beating Azarenka will take her up another six places. This tournament has seen her defeat Dayana Yastremska (in three sets), 15th seed Cori Gauff (just four games lost) and then third seeded Barbora Krejcikova, losing only six games. The quarter finals saw her beat Angelique Kerber and then Ons Jabeur in the last four. Badosa looks in the better form and can win the title