French Open champion Coco Gauff’s quest for a maiden title in Indian Wells will begin when she faces Kamilla Rakhimova, who knocked out Bianca Andreescu in the opening round. This article also predicts Jasmine Paolini, Diana Shnaider, and Ekaterina Alexandrova’s matches. We at LWOT cover the other contests, including Amanda Anisimova vs Anna Blinkova and Victoria Mboko vs Kimberly Birrell, in separate articles. But who will advance in the desert?
WTA Indian Wells Day 3 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Talia Gibson
Head-to-head: First meeting
21-year-old Gibson did a great job of defusing Ann Li’s powerful forehand in the previous round. Alexandrova’s backhand is much better than Li’s, which means Gibson cannot consistently target that wing to the same effect. The world No. 11 performed poorly in the Middle East swing, but I think she will get back on track here.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Diana Shniader vs Sorana Cirstea
Head-to-head: Cirstea 1-0 Shnaider
Cirstea continued her excellent farewell season by beating Shnaider at last week’s tournament in Austin. Although the Romanian’s level in 2026 means she undoubtedly has a chance of winning again, the slower conditions in Indian Wells suit Shnaider more. I feel she will absorb enough pressure to extract unforced errors from Cirstea and triumph.
Prediction: Shnaider in 3
Jasmine Paolini vs. Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Paolini 1-1 Potapova
At her best, Paolini is a significantly better player than Potapova. The Italian’s patchy start to 2026 and her most recent performance mean this match is not a foregone conclusion. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up leaked a huge number of unforced errors in her Merida Open semifinal defeat to Cristina Bucsa. Potapova, who bases her game on solid defense, will hope for a repeat of that showing. Nonetheless, Paolini starts as the most likely winner.
Prediction: Paolini in 2
Coco Gauff vs Kamilla Rakhimova
Head-to-head: Gauff 2-0 Rakhimova
Gauff won both previous meetings with Rakhimova in straight sets, most recently at this year’s Australian Open. The slow and high-bouncing conditions in Indian Wells suit Gauff, which makes her mixed record at the tournament quite surprising. Expect the world No. 4 to navigate this challenge successfully against an opponent who possesses no significant weapons to panic her.
Prediction: Gauff in 2
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