Eight exciting third-round matches are scheduled on Day 5 of the WTA BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, including the blockbuster encounter of #4 seed Coco Gauff facing another crowd puller, Alexandra Eala. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate, but who will advance?
WTA Indian Wells Day 5 Predictions
Naomi Osaka vs Camila Osorio
Head-to-Head: Osaka 1-1 Osorio
Former champion Naomi Osaka got a good win in her first match back since the Australian Open. Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva challenged her in the first set, but Osaka stayed composed. Camila Osorio eliminated Osaka in the first round here last year, and the Japanese star will look to take revenge and advance to the fourth round for the first time since 2019. Osorio is a great fighter, and she proved it in the second round by saving three match points against Iva Jovic. Osaka will have to be clinical to stop the Colombian player.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Victoria Mboko vs Anna Kalinskaya
Head-to-Head: Mboko 2-0 Kalinskaya
19-year-old Victoria Mboko made a winning debut at the BNP Paribas Open as she defeated Kimberly Birrell in straight sets. Birrell served for the second set, but Mboko broke and played a clutch tiebreak. Anna Kalinskaya will be an even tougher opponent as she has been in good touch this season and can trouble anybody on her day. These two played a thrilling match earlier this season, and I expect another close match but with a different outcome.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Amanda Anisimova vs Emma Raducanu
Head-to-Head: Anisimova 1-2 Raducanu
#6 seed Amanda Anisimova made a slow start in her opening match against Anna Blinkova, but bounced back brilliantly after the first set. Anisimova has not had much success in this tournament and will be keen to make the quarterfinals at least. Emma Raducanu ended her three-match losing streak with a solid performance against Anastasia Zakharova. Raducanu had great success against Anisimova last season, but the match is on the American’s racquet. If Anisimova’s forehand is firing, she will win this.
Prediction: Anisimova in 3
Coco Gauff vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-Head: Gauff 1-0 Eala
It was another shaky serving performance from Coco Gauff, making 10 double faults and winning just five points behind her second serve. However, her returning ability made up for it and allowed her to win the match in straight sets against Kamilla Rakhimova. She will have to be sharper against Alexandra Eala, who will be looking to put up a much better performance than the last time these two played. The atmosphere should be electric in this match, and I expect a tight contest with Gauff edging it out.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
