The BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament from Indian Wells continues with first-round action and so do our tennis picks. We’re now in the other half of the draw on Thursday. The seeded players get byes in this round, so the first-round matchups will feature players in the lower half of the top 100.
We had a successful start to the tournament as our Wednesday tennis picks each cashed in. Barbara Strycova had no problems with Alaksandra Sasnovitch, cashing in straight sets. The same was the case for Dominika Cibulkova, who only lost two games in total to Katernia Sinakova. Lastly, Coco Vandeweghe easily cruised in her first-round matchup too, breaking Kiki Bertens once in each of the two sets to win 6-4, 6-4. If only all of our tennis picks could be this smooth as there really wasn’t much to sweat to start at Indian Wells.
It’s on to Thursday now where these are very important matches for every reason – earnings, rankings points, confidence, and the ability to play more matches.
Olga Govortsova vs. Margarita Gasparyan
Betting Odds: Gasparyan -323
This is not one those tennis picks against one player, but for the other. Govortsova might be able to do something in this match, but Gasparyan shows signs of being an up-and-coming player on the tour. She made the fourth round in the Australian Open before losing to Serena Williams. Her groundstrokes can penetrate the court and do some damage. Govortsova is a capable player, but Gasparyan has shown more of her arsenal of shots this season, and has offered evidence that she can develop into a special player. She has more upside, to put things simply. She is the better choice in a match that will probably go the distance. Take Gasparyan with your tennis picks in this spot.
Pick: Gasparyan in three sets
Zarina Diyas vs. Jamie Loeb
Betting Odds: Diyas -182
This is a matchup which is imbalanced. Diyas has been collecting plenty of experience on the tour this year, playing WTA tournaments in the Middle East and elsewhere. She hasn’t necessarily gone deep in those tournaments, but she has seen other WTA players and knows their games. She has studied various kinds of opponents and has been exposed to a life on tour in which she knows she has to solve problems. Loeb has had to solve problems as well, but the big difference between the two is that Loeb has done this at a lower level of competition, on the ITF (International Tennis Federation) challenger circuit. Diyas has been playing in the major leagues of tennis, while Loeb – ranked at 259 entering Indian Wells – has been relegated to the minor leagues. This match is equivalent to a call-up from the minors for Loeb, and it’s likely to be a rough outing for her. Diyas exists on a higher level in terms of shotmaking skill and basic competence. Loeb, having not played a WTA Tour match in January or February, is simply trying to learn how to play at a higher level. That’s what she wants to gain from this match. Anything more would be a bonus. Diyas, on the other hand, should be expected to win, and to do so in straight sets. Take Diyas with your tennis picks in this one.
Pick: Diyas in straight sets
Donna Vekic vs. Tsvetana Pironkova
Betting Odds: Pironkova -189
This is a match which features a 94th-ranked player, Vekic, and a player ranked at 105 in Pironkova. People who have watched tennis over the past several years know that Pironkova is not a particularly good hardcourt player. Wimbledon is her best tournament and grass is her best surface. She occasionally does some good things on clay. Harcourts, though, have been a problem for her. Vekic is younger and should welcome the consistent bounce a hardcourt provides. This match probably goes three because of Pironkova’s experience, but Vekic should be able to pull it out in the end. Take Vekic with your tennis picks.
Pick: Vekic in three sets
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