Indian Wells 2022: Maria Sakkari vs Petra Kvitova preview, head-to-head & prediction | BNP Paribas Open

Match details

Fixture: (6) Maria Sakkari vs (27) Petra Kvitova

Date: 14 March 2022

Tournament: BNP Paribas Open

Round: Third round (Round of 32)

Venue: Indian Wells, California, USA

Category: WTA 1000

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt

Prize money: $8,369,455

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel & ESPN | UK - Amazon Prime Video

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Maria Sakkari vs Petra Kvitova preview

The third round of the 2022 BNP Paribas Open will see familiar foes Maria Sakkari and Petra Kvitova clash in an exciting encounter on Monday.

Sakkari, the sixth seed, is in the midst of a purple patch. The Greek reached the semifinals and final of her last two tournaments -- in Qatar and St. Petersburg respectively -- and will be looking for another strong run here.

Sakkari overcame a stiff challenge from Katerina Siniakova in her second-round match on Saturday, winning 6-3, 7-5.

Kvitova battled through a marathon contest against Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round.

Kvitova, meanwhile, battled through a marathon second-round encounter against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The Czech needed two hours and 32 minutes to fend off the spirited Belarusian 6-7(4), 6-4 6-4.

Kvitova's power-packed game hasn't always worked best in the heavy conditions in Indian Wells, but the Czech has made the quarterfinals at the WTA 1000 event twice in the past.

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Maria Sakkari vs Petra Kvitova head-to-head

Sakkari and Kvitova have split their last six meetings, so their current head-to-head stands at a 3-3 deadlock. The duo met twice last year, with Kvitova winning in Stuttgart and Sakkari exacting revenge in New York.

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Maria Sakkari vs Petra Kvitova prediction

Petra Kvitova serves during her second-round match at Indian Wells

Sakkari comes into the encounter having won seven of her last nine matches. The only players to have beaten the feisty Greek during this period are Anett Kontaveit and Iga Swiatek who are both aggressive baseliners.

Petra Kvitova possesses the sort of game that can put Sakkari on the backfoot, but she has struggled with consistency this season. Her wrist injury has also been a problem for her although she did look fine from a physical standpoint in her win over Sasnovich.

Kvitova did, however, need some time to find her range on serve. Against an aggressive opponent in the form of Sakkari, her serve could once again come under pressure.

The Greek is one of the fittest players on tour and will look to engage Kvitova in a physical rallies, hoping to tire out the Czech.

This encounter has all the makings of a close affair, but if Kvitova can clean up her act, she should be able to walk away with a win over Sakkari.

Prediction: Petra Kvitova to win in two tight sets.