Indian Wells Women’s Preview: Serena Williams Returns to Cushy Draw

by Jeremy Davis | March 10th, 2015, 12:36 am
  • 7 Comments

BNP PARIBAS OPEN
Indian Wells, Calif., USA; Surface: Hard

Seeds: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep, Caroline Wozniacki, Ana Ivanovic, Eugenie Bouchard, Agnieszka Radwanska, Ekaterina Makarova, Andrea Petkovic, Lucie Safarova, Sara Errani, Carla Suarez Navarro, Angelique Kerber, Karolina Pliskova, Flavia Pennetta, Madison Keys, Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova, Jelena Jankovic, Garbine Muguruza, Alize Cornet, Samantha Stosur, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elina Svitolina, Sabine Lisicki, Caroline Garcia, Varvara Lepchenko, Timea Bacsinszky, Zarina Diyas, Camila Giorgi, Coco Vandeweghe, Belinda Bencic, Victoria Azarenka

Floaters: Julia “Gorgeous” Goerges, Heather Watson, Daniela Hantuchova, Vera Zvonareva, Francesca Schiavone

Notes:

Do we need 32 seeds after getting at least half a week off or more for all players?

Not a lot of early-round challenges with the 32 seeds. No. 29 Camila Giorgi will start against either Goerges or Watson; No. 16 Keys could open against the veteran Hantuchova; No. 25 Caroline Garcia could meet Russian veteran Vera Zvonareva; and No. 11 Errani vs. Schiavone could be a delicious all-Italian opener.

The world No. 1 Williams is playing the event for the first time in 14 years when the Williams family declared all of Indian Wells racist. She won in that last appearance in 2001, beating Kim Clijsters in the final.

Wildcards went to Americans Louisa Chirico, Irina Falconi, Nicole Gibbs, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Grace Min, former world No. 1 junior Taylor Townsend, Sachia Vickery, and Serena Williams.

Notable withdrawals from the tournament were Dominika Cibulkova (Achilles surgery), Petra Kvitova (exhaustion), and Brit Laura Robson.

Serena prior to the tournament split from long-time hitting partner Sascha Bajin, who she had previously called the most important person on her team.

All the hubbub surrounds Serena, but Venus is not ending her boycott since last playing in 2001. “I made my schedule up,” Venus said about missing IW again. “I’m entered in Miami, and that’s pretty much what it is. I haven’t really given a lot of thought to it. I have just been focusing on this year…I just respect every decision [Serena] makes, pretty much. It’s nothing complicated about it.”

Cushy draw for Serena. Likely QF round match-ups: (1) Serena vs. (8) Makarova, (3) Halep vs. (7) Radwanska, (4) Wozniacki vs. (6) Bouchard, (2) Sharapova vs. (5) Ivanovic.


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7 Comments for Indian Wells Women’s Preview: Serena Williams Returns to Cushy Draw

Hippy Chick Says:

It might be true,and even if she denies it,im sure she does love that reference,but does Julia Goerges need to be refered to as Julia Georgeous Goerges,each end everytime her name is mentioned,seriously its beyond irritating?

Anyway cant see past another Serena/Sharapova final,with Serena winning the title,unless Serena loses then the titles Marias,i would think?….

As regards the mens,same really as i cant see past Novak,whos the best HC player on tour,unless Roger repeats what he did in Dubai,or Rafa,Andy etc catch fire?….


jane Says:

it’s good that serena is making a return here. i hope and assume she will be well received.


roger Says:

Why would she be well received? She created the problem in the first place.


Chad Says:

Great racist (and anti-Serena) vibe you have going on in this article. Usually, it’s just the commenters that are blatant with their biases (and of course, that’s evident here, as well!),but nope, it’s the writer too!


Kaci Says:

I find it insulting to assume the Williams Family thinks the Entire city of Indian Wells is racist. I think the boycott IMHO stemmed from the harsh boos towards a Indian Wells Champion,California Native who let’s not forget was a teenager and an American. This article is laced with Serena Williams distain which is fine we all have our opinions but it was in poor taste!


Nzingha Says:

Chad: Thank you for the confirmation. I thought it was just me. That is EXACTLY why I am opposed to her returning. Leave them to their lily white tournament, and they can get their greenbacks from their Euro “beauties”! Sheez.


Nzingha Says:

Kaci:

I could not agree with you more!

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