Emma Raducanu's path to the top of tennis has been nothing short of remarkable, but she didn't stay in the Top 10 on the WTA Tour for a long time.
After winning the US Open in 2021, the young British tennis sensation has been on a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, trying to find her feet on the professional circuit. But now, as the 2023 Indian Wells BNP Paribas Open gets underway, Raducanu is back in the spotlight, and many are wondering if this could be her chance to shine once again.
Raducanu's road to the possible title at Indian Wells won't be an easy one. In the first round, she faces Danka Kovinic, a talented player who could pose a real challenge. If she makes it through, she'll then face Magda Linette, the 20th seed, who has been in fine form recently, reaching the semifinals in Melbourne. And it doesn't get any easier from there.
In the third round, Raducanu is most likely to face Beatriz Haddad Maia, the 13th seed, who has already proven herself to be a tough opponent. And then, in the fourth round, she could be up against Iga Swiatek, the world no. 1 and defending champion, and undoubtedly the strongest player in the tournament.
But if Raducanu can make it through those tough early rounds, she'll be rewarded with some potentially blockbuster matches. Caroline Garcia, the fifth seed, could be her quarterfinal opponent, while Ons Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, or Daria Kasatkina are the most probable candidates to stand in her way in the semifinals.
And then, in the final, Raducanu could potentially face off against some of the tournament's biggest names, including Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, or Maria Sakkari. Any of those players would be a difficult opponent, but Raducanu has already proven that she's capable of taking on the best.
Round 1 | Danka Kovinic |
Round 2 | Magda Linette (20) |
Round 3 | Beatriz Haddad Maia (13) |
Round 4 | Iga Swiatek (1) |
Quarterfinals | Caroline Garcia (5) |
Semifinals | Ons Jabeur (4) / Elena Rybakina (10) / Daria Kasatkina (8) |
Final | Aryna Sabalenka (2), Jessica Pegula (3) / Coco Gauff (6) / Maria Sakkari (7) |