Indian Wells 2023: Three dark horses for the women's singles title | BNP Paribas Open

Top names have arrived at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden for the 34th edition of the BNP Paribas Open — one of the biggest tournaments on both the men's and women's calendars outside of the Grand Slams.

World No.1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek leads the pack for the women at the 2023 edition. The top seed, however, will be expecting some tough competition from a jam-packed field of title hopefuls — some less obvious than the others. Here, we have listed such darkhorses that may spring up a few surpirses in the desert this year:

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Two-time Indian Wells winner: Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka at the 2021 BNP Paribas Open.

If there is any player who knows how to win in the Indian Wells desert, its Victoria Azarenka — the only multi-time BNP Paridbas Open champion at the tournament this year.

The Belarusian, who lifted the trophy in 2012 and 2016, reached the final as recently as two years ago. And while she may have come up short against Paula Badosa in 2021, the former World No. 1 would still look back at the high-quality clash with fond memories.

Azarenka's baseline-oriented approach is tailor-made for hardcourts, but it is her tenacious fighting spirit that has seen her brave the desert heat and outlast a host of big names en-route to her two titles and the 2021 final. The fire inside her is alive and kicking still and there is no reason why the Belarusian cannot add a third Indian Wells crown to her tally.

The two-time winner will play either a resurengent Karolina Muchova or the dogged Yulia Putinseva in her first match.

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2021 Indian Wells champion: Paula Badosa

Paula Badosa with the 2021 BNP Paribas Open trophy.

The other half of the memorable 2021 BNP Paribas Open final, Paula Badosa will be another name that the top seeds will be looking to avoid in their sections of the draw.

The Spaniard won the biggest title of her career at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden back in 2021, beating the likes of Azarenka, Ons Jabeur and Angelique Kerber en-route. While her ranking has been on a steady decline since the highs of that season, Badosa remains a big threat — especially in these conditions.

Her top-spin heavy game gives Badosa the extra edge needed to wear opponents down in the heavier court conditions in Indian Wells. The slower courts also play into her strengths, allowing the former winner to send back as many balls as possible and frustrating her opponent.

Given that she is fully fit, Badosa will be one of the players to watch the top half. She opens against either her countrywoman Nuria Parrizas Diaz or Elesibetta Cocciaretto.

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2019 Indian Wells winner: Bianca Andreescu

Bianca Andreescu with the 2019 BNP Paribas Open trophy.

Another former winner, Bianca Andreescu, will come into the tournament with little going her way in 2023 so far. Barring a semifinal run at Hua Hin, the Canadian has suffered early exits in all other main draw appearances at the Tour this year.

Fresh off opening-round defeats in both Dubai and Doha, Andreescu will be hoping that a return to Indian Wells brings back some good fortune. The youngster had her big breathrough at the venue back in 2019, lifting her first big title — before going on to famously win the US Open later that year.

Much like the other two names on the list, Andreescu's strengths lie in her baseline game, physical prowess and ability to put up a wall of defense against the big hitters out there. She also possesses a certain variety that can keep her opponents on their toes.

The Canadian's fitness is set to be tested right off the bat as she may face top seed and World No. 1 Iga Swiatek as early as the third round.