Despite the two highest ranked women’s players missing this year’s draw, the 2021 BNP Paribas Open draw is still full of intrigue.
The tournament is taking place more than six months later than its usual time slot due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s edition is the first to take place since 2019 after last year’s tournament was cancelled.
Karolina Pliskova heads the field following the withdrawal of Ash Barty and Aryna Sabalenka. The Czech two-time Grand Slam finalist is set to open up her campaign in the second round against either wildcard Caty McNally or Saisai Zheng. Pliskova will be playing in her seventh Indian Wells main draw with her best result being a run to the semi-finals in 2016 and 2017. In her section of the draw, she could play Nadia Podoroska in the third round, followed by reigning champion Bianca Andreescu in the fourth. Andreescu, who is seeded 16th in the draw, will start against either Alison Riske or a qualifier.
Heading the other half of the draw is former French Open champion Iga Swiatek who is playing in the main draw of the tournament for the first time in her career. She will start against either world No.182 Katie Volynets or the experienced Petra Martic. Swiatek has won three WTA titles but only one of those occurred on a hardcourt, which was at the 2021 Adelaide International. In her section, she could play Veronika Kudmertova in the third round, followed by either Jelena Ostapenko or Elena Rybakina.
Many eyes in the Californian dessert will be cast on Btritish teenager Emma Raducanu who will play her first tournament since winning the US Open. At the New York major she stunned the sport by becoming the first ever qualifier to win a major title. Since then Raducanu has split with her coach and is currently working with Jeremy Bates on a temporary basis. She is on course for a mouthwatering clash with Simona Halep in the third round should both players reach that stage. Raducanu will start against either Maria Camila Osorio Serrano or Aliaksandra Sasnovich.
All of the 32 seeded players have first-round byes but there are still plenty of intriguing opening matches. Kim Clijsters will be making her return to Indian Wells for the first time in a decade. The two-time champion has received a wildcard into the main draw and will play world No.2 doubles player Katerina Siniakova. Should she win, a showdown with Angelique Kerber awaits.
Other notable first round matches include Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens taking on Heather Watson, Yulia Putintseva playing Andrea Petkovic and Madison Keys facing Kaia Kanepi.
The champion of Indian Wells this year will exit the tournament with 1000 ranking points and $1,209,730 in prize money.
Full draw
