MATCH PREVIEW and PREDICTION | 2024 Indian Wells Open as Aryna SABALENKA set for showdown with Emma RADUCANU
Tennis NewsMonday, 11 March 2024 at 17:15
The main clash of the evening on Monday at the Indian Wells Open will see Aryna Sabalenka face Emma Raducanu. A big tie due to their statuses in the game, but a potential mismatch on paper.
Our Match Preview looks ahead to the tie and the respective runs of the players so far in Tennis Paradise as well as a prediction on who will come out on top in California and reach the Last 16.
Raducanu benefits from walkover, one win away from defending points and prize money
After receiving a late wildcard into the tournament, Emma Raducanu has benefitted in more than one way so far this tournament with the former US Open champion easing past Rebeka Masarova and then only playing four games against Dayana Yastremska.
The Ukrainian promptly retired from the tie after Yastremska appeared to suffer an abdominal injury. She immediately called for the physio and the match was curtailed after only four games. But Raducanu was looking good in that opening stanza so potentially would've won anyway.
She had to win multiple games at Indian Wells in order to defend the money and points that she won last year by reaching the fourth round. She is one away from doing that so is unlikely to undergo a ranking slump.
Given the level of opponent Raducanu has faced so far though aside from Elina Svitolina, she hasn't faced anyone as good as Aryna Sabalenka yet so it will be a true test of her metal and the way she is currently playing. It could be a confidence booster or confidence knocker depending on the scoreline and result.
'Stearn's test for Sabalenka
Being second seed, Aryna Sabalenka started a lot later than Raducanu. But was immediately under the cosh as she managed to survive against Peyton Stearns. The American though had four match points before losing in a deciding tie-break. So in reality, it could've easily have been Raducanu v Stearns at this point.
As a result, it isn't that easy to decipher how this match will go with Sabalenka losing early to Donna Vekic during Dubai in her only other tournament since the Australian Open where she was utterly imperious. But usually an early knock is what makes champion and so this match will be vital for that.
This will also be the first meeting so who knows what to expect on either side. But they will finally meet this evening and Sabalenka will be the heavy favourite to potentially overpower the Brit.
Prediction - Aryna Sabalenka in two sets (6-3, 6-2)
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- "This of course a stark change to Rybakina who is obviously more timid..." That just may be the dumbest thing ever written about Lena. For a CCO, Mr. Gill seems to have either made an error in judgement -- or needed filler for this article -- to say something so ridiculous.
mandoist13-09-2026 - “The way I like to put it – no disrespect to anybody – is that this is her house, and all the other girls are just guests, and it’s time for them to go home” Well now... seems John Stacy has made a complete ass of himself. Doubt he'll be receiving any invitations to Lena's "house" any time soon.mandoist13-09-2026
- I am sorry, but Sabalenka has NO EXCUSE for her despicable behaviour. She lacks self and mouth control! The message is being sent but Saba isn't getting it! She is full of arrogance and pride. Hopefully, after this defeat she will be on the way to becoming a humble lady LIKE ELENA! I hope she never regains the world No. 1 until she develops some humility.Rapunzel13-09-2026
- Sabalenka began showing signs of her game gradually 'changing' since last season. I predicted her fascination with posting endless Selfies, participating in commercial media distractions and constant Social Media nonsense could impact her in a negative way. Her off-court Life was sure to interfere with her performace level. Visions of Raducanu, Giorgi, Bouchard come to mind. The Final yesterday was a weird case of polar-opposites. Sabalenka and Rybakina could not be any more different in personalities! Saba often portrays a somewhat fake persona, including her Phony Screaming. Her usual habit of acting like the nice girl with a sense of humor is a misconception. People take her lack of intellect as "cute" and "funny". So anyway... yesterday viewers witnessed that Fake Scream be reduced to a whimper and sometimes no vocal gymnastics at all once she knew the jig was up. We all saw her look into the camera post-match and say "F... You". Also, pretty hard to not see Saba making untoward facial expressions, rolling her eyes, etc., behind Rybakina while on the podium. Elena Rybakina, on the other hand, was her usual 'in-control' self as she spoke clearly and calmly, without making faces nor any ill-will toward anyone = 100% Class Act. Lena appeared more than aware of Saba's sour attitude and made a point of not looking in her direction most of the time. FWIW: I have never -- not ever -- heard Sabalenka make any sounds on practice courts. So it is indeed a nonsensical ruse as she thinks (incorrectly) it affects opponents. It does not. In fact, as was the case yesterday, I saw Lena occasionally take a side-eye glance at Saba on her way to the bench... as if to calculate her emotions. Saba is actually a very easy 'read'.mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA really, really hates this sort of thing. They surely are satisfied to make believe no such thing happens (or happened).mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA and ATP cannot even make their dope testing equal and precise across the board. They sure as hell cannot escape a stituation they themselves made over the ridiculous "penalty" of omitting a player's country flag. Nothing regarding which flags to display (or not) should be a Thing. It proves nothing; solves nothing. If anything, all it did was cause stress, tension, and even outbursts between players in the WTA locker room. Let's not even start with the asinine practice of not shaking hands at the net with "the enemy". There seems to be a general lack of intelligence behind Pro Tennis administrations' Closed Doors. .mandoist13-09-2026
- Big Babe Tennis! Hoping for a good final.DaveyWavey12-09-2026
- Director needs to return to his old "job" at the Australia Open. He's clueless in NYC.mandoist12-09-2026
- You keep writing ridiculous crap... why are you even watching tennis?mandoist12-09-2026
- They probably have a very good reason for this. I do not get it. Annoying that it finishes so late
AceOfBase12-09-2026
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