WTA Indian Wells: 3rd Round Predictions, Day 6

1. Ana Ivanovic v Mona Barthel

Ana Ivanovic

The most exciting of the entire list of womens third round matches will see Ana Ivanovic take on Mona Barthel.  Ivanovic progressed to the 3rd round with a very comfortable win against the 16-year-old, Taylor Townsend, 6-1 6-2, meanwhile Barthel lost just two more games against Kiki Bertens.  Barthel strolled through the opening set, 6-1, but had a struggle in finishing Bertens off in the second set, eventually clinching it, 6-4.  Ivanovic and Barthel have met once before in Stuttgart last year when Barthel edged a tight two setter, 7-5 7-6(4).  Barthel was a serving machine on that day, but on the slower hard courts of Indian Wells, Ivanovic should have more of an advantage.  It is a tough one to call, but I am going for Barthel to nick the upset win...

Prediction - Barthel to beat Ivanovic in 3 sets

2. Nadia Petrova v Julia Goerges

The second match on the top three list could either be a hard hitting delight or an absolute crapfest... it is likely to be the latter, but promises to be competitive and closely fought.  Nadia Petrova had a drama-free opener against Stephanie Voegele as she progressed in straight sets.  Julia Goerges was also comfortable in victory over Sofia Arvidsson with a third consecutive victory over the Swede.  Petrova and Goerges have surprisingly never met on the WTA tour; both have big serves and hefty games from the baseline, but you would have to give the edge to Petrova who has a margin more consistency on her strokes when the brain is screwed in.  I'm going for Petrova to prevail...

Prediction - Petrova to beat Goerges in 2 tight sets

3. Angelique Kerber v Yanina Wickmayer

It was a welcome return to form for Angelique Kerber on Saturday as she defeated Irina-Camelia Begu, 6-3 6-2 for her first win since January.  The German number five had lost both her matches in Doha and Dubai having struggled with a back injury, but it looks like she is fit and healthy once again and her draw has opened up significantly, which is key as she is defending semi-final points from last year.  Kerber takes on Yanina Wickmayer who had a plucky win over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, recovering from a set and a break deficit to come through, 3-6 6-3 6-2.  Wickmayer does have a one-dimensional game, but there is enough good about it for her to be doing better on the tour right now.  Injuries have really held back her progress in the last year.  Both of their previous matches have gone three sets and I think this will be the hat-trick.

Prediction - Kerber to beat Wickmayer in 3 sets

Best of the rest: 3rd round womens predictions

Victoria Azarenka to beat Kirsten Flipkens in 2 sets

Jamie Hampton to beat Urszula Radwanska in 3 sets

Caroline Wozniacki to beat Elena Vesnina in 2 tight sets

Garbine Muguruza to beat Magdalena Rybarikova in 3 sets

Sam Stosur to Peng Shuai in 2 sets