Indian Wells Open 2024: Emma Raducanu vs Aryna Sabalenka preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming details

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Published at :March 11, 2024 at 4:46 PM

Modified at :March 11, 2024 at 4:46 PM

(Courtesy : Curious times/India Today)

This will be the first meeting between both players

Emma Raducanu is capitalizing on her wildcard entry at the Indian Wells Open 2024. She convincingly defeated qualifier Rebeka Masarova in the first round with a 6-2, 6-3 victory. In the second round, her opponent, Dayana Yastremska, retired due to abdominal pain while Raducanu was leading 4-0 in the first set.

Interestingly, this is the second time these two players have faced off, with Yastremska retiring midway in both encounters. Their previous meeting was during the first round in Portoroz, Slovenia in 2022.

Next up for Raducanu is a clash with two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the third round. Sabalenka, a former top-ten player, reached the round of 16 at last year’s BNP Paribas Open, defeating Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia before falling to Iga Swiatek.

Sabalenka’s journey to the third round this year was anything but straightforward. Despite receiving a first-round bye, she faced a tough challenge from 22-year-old American Peyton Stearns. In a dramatic match, Sabalenka saved four match points in the third set, eventually securing a hard-fought 6-7(2), 6-2, 7-6(6) victory. Stearns had been leading 5-4, 40-0 while serving in the decisive 10th game of the third set.

Emma Raducanu vs Aryna Sabalenka – Preview

Emma Raducanu benefited from a walkover by her second-round opponent, Dayana Yastremska, who threw in the towel after just four games into the first set. Raducanu is yet to advance beyond the second round this year, but if she manages to pull off an upset against Sabalenka, it would be quite a remarkable achievement.

Aryna Sabalenka found herself in a tight spot against the determined Peyton Stearns but ultimately emerged victorious in a grueling three-set match that lasted 2 hours and 53 minutes. Their round-of-64 clash was the longest of the second round. As the world No. 2, Sabalenka will need to step up her game to avoid being cornered by the more experienced Raducanu.

Following her successful title defense in Melbourne, the world No. 2 faced disappointment in the Middle East at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. She suffered a second-round defeat against the 31st-ranked Croatian, Donna Vekic.

In the upcoming rounds, either Sabalenka or Raducanu could potentially face 2024 Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng or 2018 Indian Wells champion Naomi Osaka in the semifinals.

Head-to-head records

Matches – 0

Emma Raducanu – 0

Aryna Sabalenka – 0

The upcoming third-round match at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open will mark the first meeting of their careers. Sabalenka boasts a stronger track record at Indian Wells, having reached the finals last season and maintaining a commendable 10-4 record at the venue.

In contrast, Raducanu has participated in the main draw three times, with her most notable performance being a round-of-16 appearance in 2023. Her win-loss record in California stands at 5-3.

Where and how to watch the live streaming and TV broadcast of the third round match between Emma Raducanu vs Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells Open 2024 in India, the UK, and the USA??

Tennis fans in India can watch the Indian Wells Open 2024, also known as the BNP Paribas Open, live on SonyLiv and the Sony TV channels. In the UK and the US, live coverage will be available on Sky Sports Tennis and the Tennis Channel, respectively

Date/Match Timings

India: 12th March (1:30 Am IST: Tentative)

USA: 11th March (1:00 Pm UTC: Tentative)

UK: 11th March (8:00 Pm GMT: Tentative)

Prediction

Sabalenka’s ankle injury during the third set against Stearns could potentially impact her third-round match against Raducanu. While this opens a door of opportunity for Raducanu, she must still grapple with Sabalenka’s formidable strokes and solid baseline play.

Raducanu, primarily a baseline player, excels at reaching for the ball early. Her backhand outshines her largely effective yet occasionally volatile forehand. Notably, her down-the-line backhand poses a challenge for Sabalenka. The Brit’s court coverage, footwork, and anticipation serve as valuable tools she can wield to shift the momentum in her favor. However, like any baseline player, Raducanu faces a natural weakness when it comes to advancing to the net.

On the other side of the court, Aryna Sabalenka is a powerful baseliner who is equally adept at approaching the net. Her strong serve immediately puts opponents on the defensive. This year, she has fired 69 aces, but her serve is not without its flaws—double faults remain a concern. In her second-round match against Peyton Stearns, Sabalenka delivered ten aces but also committed nine double faults. Additionally, her forceful groundstrokes, while effective, occasionally lead to unforced errors.

Comparing first serves, Raducanu maintains greater consistency, landing her serve accurately 67.9% of the time, compared to Sabalenka’s 62.7%. However, Sabalenka holds the advantage in first-serve winning percentage, securing 74.3% of those crucial points, while Raducanu manages 62.3%.

If Sabalenka’s ankle holds up and she maintains her aggressive play, she will have the upper hand. However, Raducanu’s consistency and ability to exploit Sabalenka’s weaknesses could swing the match in her favor. Expect a closely contested battle, but we’ll give a slight edge to Sabalenka due to her experience and firepower.

Result: Sabalenka to win in 3 sets.

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Mohammed Fazeel

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