WTA Indian Wells - HIT WITH A DIFFERENCE

WTA Tour: BNP Paribas Open. 08.03.2010 - 22.03.2010.
By Joe, BettingExpert.com | Published 11:19 05.03.10

WTA Indian Wells - HIT WITH A DIFFERENCE

BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells will hold a “Hit For Haiti” exhibition on March 12 It will feature legendary players Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer for the men and Steffi Graf, Lindsay Davenport, Martina Navratilova and Justine Henin for the ladies. They expect to raise $1 Million for Haiti relief effort that will benefit the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund.

Get good odds, bonuses and promotions from our sponsor, Gamebookers, for the WTA Indian Wells.

The BNP Paribas Open Indian Wells is one of the top tier tournaments in the WTA calendar year. Many of the best women in the world of tennis will be presented at California in Indian Wells, from 10th March to 21st March, to contest over the grand prize of USD$4,500,000. As this event is classed as Premier, many will know that a good performance at the Indian Wells will provide increase in their ranking with the WTA. Indian Wells are played over hard/outdoors courts and sunny weather is expected which makes good playing conditions. Vera Zvonareva will return to defend her title she won in 2009.

Russian Trio

Surprisingly the defending champion, Vera Zvonareva, ranked 9th in the World is one of players who have the chance to win this tournament. She will be joined by fellow Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, world number 3, and Elena Dementieva, world number 5, in the quest to win the Indian Wells Open. All three Russians will get their chance to meet one another in the latter stages of this competition. Other Russians like Maria Sharapova, ranked 14, and Nadia Petrov, ranked 19, could get their hands on some silverware.

Other Challengers

Good friends Danish Carol Wozniacki, ranked 4th and world number seventh Bulgarian Victoria Azarenka will be one of the top challengers to set apart the Russian entourage at Indian Wells. Both players have started brightly this season but it is Azarenka who is doing better of the two. She has managed to beat Zvonareva in the Australian Open and getting to the final of the Dubai Open. The young Bulgarian has improved her playing style and could go far in California.

Past Champions

Look out for Kim Clijsters, Ana Ivanovic, Daniela Hantuchova and wild card entry, Justin Henin at the tournament. All of these ladies are past champions at the Indian Wells. These ladies might be ranked outside of the top ten in the world but consider that none of the top ten players have won the Indian Wells apart from Zvonareva, they will certainly pose a serious threat. So an each way bet would not be a bad idea for an outsider.

The Final Verdict

With the absent of the Williams sister at the Indian Wells, this tournament is up for the grabs for any players without the worry of their rankings. If there was weak favourite for this tournament then it would go to the surprisingly wild card entry, Justin Henin. She might not played many games but the games she played in, speaks volume in her ability to get to the final and it will be just a matter of time that she will win her first tournament this season. Victoria Azarenka has every chance to get into the final while Kim Clijsters would not be far off with Maria Sharapova on the sidelines.