Petra Kvitová vs Jessica Pegula Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 13/03/2023, 09:35  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 13/03/2023 at 10:34 in Tennis Predictions

Third seed Jessica Pegula faces Petra Kvitova (seeded 15th) in the last 16 at Indian Wells. The winner of this match will take on either seventh seeded Maria Sakkari or the 17th seed Karolina Pliskova in the quarter finals. Pegula began this tournament ranked third in the world and is also in that position in the live rankings and WTA Race. The American has only reached the Indian Wells quarter final on one previous occasion and that was two years ago. Although ranked third in the world, Pegula has only ever won six WTA singles events and just one in the last four years. This year has seen her be part of the US team that won the United Cup. In singles tournaments, her best is getting to the final in Doha but only taking three games off Iga Swiatek. Pegula did beat the world number one in the United Cup, losing just four games. The 29-year-old got to the last eight of the Australian Open and the last eight in Dubai. At Indian Wells, Pegula has had wins over Camila Giorgi and 26th seeded Anastasia Potapova, having to come from behind to win both matches.

Petra Kvitova started this Indian Wells tournament ranked 15th in the world but is up to 13th in the live rankings. The Czech is up to 22nd in the Live WTA Race based on points earned this year. A win over Pegula will take her into the top 20 on that list. Kvitova leads Pegula 3-1 in previous meetings. The most recent match was a win for Kvitova in the United Cup this year. 2022 saw Pegula beat the Czech at the US Open. It's not been the greatest of years so far for the 33-year-old. Winning this match would take Kvitova into only her second quarter final of 2023. The other was in the second Adelaide International in January. This is her third last 16 appearance since then. Wins in Indian Wells have come against Elizabeth Mandlik and 24th seeded Jelena Ostapenko. It was a struggle in the latter as Kvitova failed to win a game in the first set. Then she won the next two sets 6-0 6-4. Go for over 21.5 games to be played in this match.