13th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia squares off against 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the round of 32 of the 2023 Indian Wells on Monday.
The Brazilian star has been in decent form this season. She came into the tournament on the back of a first-round exit in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
After receiving a first-round bye, Haddad Maia faced doubles No. 1 Katerina Siniakova in the round of 64. Siniakova bagged the first set but Haddad Maia fought with a lot of determination to win the second set in the tiebreak. The third set was more straightforward as the southpaw won the match 5-7, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Siniakova struggled with her serves as she committed 8 double faults. Haddad Maia managed to convert 6 out of 6 break points en route to a thrilling win.
The 20-year-old has managed to win consecutive matches for the first time since September 2022. She has battled injuries this year and is reaping the rewards of perseverance. However, there is still a long way to go as she has just reached the round of 32.
In the round of 128, Raducanu eased past Danka Kovinic in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. The British star converted 6 out of 9 break points in the clash. Raducanu followed it up with another impressive win against 20th seed Magda Linette, who had reached the semifinals in the Australian Open, earlier this year. The first set was tight as Raducanu won it in the tiebreak. She dominated the second set though and eventually won the match 7-6 (7-3), 6-2. Raducanu had a win percentage of 88 on the first serve and converted 4 out of 5 break points.
The head-to-head scoreline currently stands at 0-0 as the two players have never faced each other as yet.
Prediction: Beatriz Haddad Maia to win in straight sets.
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