Defending champion
Elena Rybakina will head to
Indian Wells as she attempts to go back to back in southern California. The World No. 4 will face either Paula Badosa or Ashlyn Krueger in the second round.
Looking ahead to the tournament,
Pam Shriver detailed one of Rybakina's main threats "[Elena Rybakina's] serve is one of the best shots currently in women’s tennis -- I love watching it."
Rybakina went out of the Australian Open in the second round to Anna Blinkova in a marathon third-set tiebreak, but Shriver doesn't think that will throw the Kazakh off her game. She added: "(It was) one of the more memorable tiebreaks you’ll ever see. She’s a threat to win every tournament she plays."
Rybakina is in the same section of the draw as recent winner in Dubai Jasmine Paolini and Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova.