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Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka are among the heavy favorites to win the women's singles tournament at the BNP Paribas Open this month.
The draw for the WTA 1000 tournament, better known as the Indian Wells Masters, has been released. We are in for some exciting tennis action over the next few days.
Iga Swiatek won last year's tournament by beating Maria Sakkari in the final. Simona Halep and Paula Badosa did well to reach the semifinals.
Swiatek, who is the top seed at this year's BNP Paribas Open, will once again be backed by many to win the tournament considering her recent results. The Pole has been in a lethal run of form and beating her will be a daunting task for any player.
However, there are undoubtedly a few players who are capable of challenging for the title at the WTA 1000 tournament. These women have done well in recent months and it won't come as too much of a surprise if any of them manage to come out victorious in Indian Wells.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at five favorites for the women's singles tournament at the 2023 BNP Paribas Open.
#5 Belinda Bencic
Belinda Bencic is seeded ninth in the BNP Paribas Open and will be expected to have a good run. The Swiss has started the 2023 season extremely well, winning 15 out of 18 matches so far with two titles to her name as well.
The World No. 9 should be able to make it to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open where she could face a tough challenge against sixth seed Coco Gauff. Gauff has also enjoyed a good start to this season, winning 11 out of her 14 matches so far.
Bencic should manage to edge out the American and book her place in the quarterfinals. From there on, if she is at her best, there is a good chance she could stage a deep run at Indian Wells.
#4 Ons Jabeur
World No. 4 Ons Jabeur has had a disappointing start to the 2023 season, winning three out of five matches so far. The Tunisian will begin her campaign in Indian Wells against either Lauren Davis or Maryna Zanevska. Jabeur is expected to reach the third round at Indian Wells without much trouble.
Here, her potential opponents include Marketa Vondrousova and Marie Bouzkova. Jabeur should be able to make it into the fourth round and here, she will most likely take on 14th seed Victoria Azarenka, who has looked in good touch lately.
The 28-year-old will not have it easy but will probably just about manage to scrape through to the quarterfinals. Her potential opponents in the last-eight stage include Daria Kasatkina and Elena Rybakina.
Jabeur has a fairly favorable draw and if she manages to make it to the quarterfinals, there's a good chance we could see her in the semifinals too. If the Tunisian is at her best, she stands a great chance of winning her second WTA 1000 title in Indian Wells as well.
#3 Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula has produced some brilliant tennis over the past 12 months or so and will have high hopes when she takes to the court for the Indian Wells Masters.
The American has won 13 out of 17 matches so far this season and should be able to reach the fourth round of this WTA 1000 tournament without much problems. Here, she could face either Petra Kvitova or Jelena Ostapenko, both of whom are tough opponents.
However, Pegula's current form should see her get past either of the two and reach the quarterfinals. Her potential opponents in the last eight include Maria Sakkari, Veronika Kudermetova and Karolina Pliskova. She has previously shown that she is capable of beating each of them with her sheer quality.
Pegula should, therefore, be able to at least make it to the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open. It is also worth noting that she has beaten Sabalenka and Swiatek in straight sets over the past four months at the WTA Finals and Qatar Open respectively.
As a result, the American will certainly fancy her chances of going all the way at Indian Wells.
#2 Aryna Sabalenka
Aryna Sabalebnka will be one of the major favorites to win the BNP Paribas Open given how she has performed lately. The Belarusian won her maiden Grand Slam singles title at this year's Australian Open while also putting together a title run at the Adelaide International 2.
Sabalenka should be able to reach the Round of 16 at Indian Wells rather comfortably. Here, she will most likely face Barbora Krejcikova, who beat her in Dubai. If the 24-year-old manages to get past Krejcikova, she will likely face Belinda Bencic or Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals.
Sabalenka will be expected to have a good run at Indian Wells. If she is able to perform the same way she did at the Australian Open, she could end up winning this tournament as well.
#1 Iga Swiatek
As has been the case with most tournaments in the past 12 months, Iga Swiatek will be the heaviest favorite to win the 2023 BNP Paribas Open. The Pole won last year's edition in Indian Wells by beating Maria Sakkari in the summit clash and will aim to defend her title. She certainly has a strong chance of doing so as well.
Swiatek has won 12 out of 15 matches so far this season, successfully defending her title at the Qatar Open without dropping a single set. The 21-year-old recently reached the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships as well, but lost in straight sets to Barbora Krejcikova.
Swiatek is the player to beat at this year's BNP Paribas Open and if she is at her lethal best, she could very well end up successfully defending her title
