WTA Indian Wells predictions: Keys could return in similar vein

When does WTA Indian Wells start

The WTA Indian Wells begins at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California, on Wednesday, March 5.

Where to watch the WTA Indian Wells in the UK

Live on Sky Sports Tennis, from 7pm Wednesday

Best bets for the WTA Indian Wells 

Madison Keys
1pt each-way 12-1 bet365

WTA Indian Wells predictions

Madison Keys makes her first appearance since claiming a belated maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January and the refreshed American could have a big say on proceedings on her comeback at Indian Wells.

There is the potential for Keys to come on for the outing on her first spin since her heroics at Melbourne Park, but she may also go from strength to strength now that the pressure has been relieved.

The 30-year-old had to do things the hard way when winning the Australian Open, where she toppled five seeds including the world’s top two Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, and that came on the back of a title success at the Adelaide International.

That means Keys returns on a 12-match winning streak and, if ready to go, she has a generous early draw to work with as Emma Navarro, Elise Mertens and Donna Vekic are the fellow seeds in her mini section.

Things would get tougher in the last eight, where Coco Gauff could await, but her fellow American has been defeated by Marta Kostyuk and McCartney Kessler in the opening round of her last two events in Qatar and Dubai.

That gives Keys every chance of returning on a positive note, especially with the WTA Tour looking less predictable this season with Sabalenka and Swiatek not having everything their own way.

Keys defeated Sabalenka in the Australian Open final and there is no reason to think that she will shy away from the challenge were they to renew their rivalry in the semi-final. 

Swiatek, champion at the Tennis Garden in 2022 and 2024, evidently merits respect but recent Dubai champion Mirra Andreeva and 2023 Indian Wells heroine Elena Rybakina are obvious obstacles in the bottom half and make the Pole’s title odds look a little cramped.

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