WTA Indian Wells: Angelique Kerber could start against Kim Clijsters
At the WTA Tour 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, Angelique Kerber could meet comeback Kim Clijsters after a bye.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Oct 05, 2021, 07:09 am
No Ashleigh Barty, no Naomi Osaka, no Aryna Sabalenka: The field of participants in the WTA Tour 1000 tournament in Indian Wells is badly thinned out at the top for various reasons. The tableau is led by Karolina Pliskova, who like all 32 seeded has a bye, ahead of Iga Swiatek. Pliskova opens against either Sasai Zheng or Catherine McNally.
The first order from Angelique Kerber, who had made it to the finals of the last edition of the classic in Indian Wells, could be interesting. Kerber, seeded in tenth place, will face the winner of the game between Kim Clijsters and Katerina Siniakova. Clijsters had received a wild card from the organizers for their next comeback attempt. In case of advancement, Daria Kasatkina, then Garbine Muguruza, would wait for Kerber in accordance with the paper form. The Spaniard won the 500 event in Chicago on Sunday.
Difficult task for the defending champion
Bianca Andreescu starts as the defending champion. However, the Canadian has had a difficult lot. Andreescu could already play against the always dangerous Alison Riske at the beginning, then against Anett Kontaveit and already in the round of 16 against tournament favorite Pliskova.
US Open winner Emma Raducanu is waiting for the winner of the game between Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Maria Camila Osorio Serrano. Leylah Fernandez, who also caused a sensation in New York with her run up to the finals, plays either against Alizé Cornet or a qualifier.