WTA BNP Paribas Open Odds & Preview: Badosa Looks to Defend Title

• The WTA BNP Paribas Open begins Wednesday, March 9th
• It’s the second WTA 1000 event of the season
• Continue below for outright odds, preview, and best bet predictions

The 2022 WTA BNP Paribas Open, as known as the Indian Wells Masters will begin it’s main draw play on Wednesday. As usual, this is one of the biggest tournaments of the year, and draws the participation of most of the top WTA players, including nine of the Top 10.

The 2022 edition features the return of 2018 champion Naomi Osaka, who hasn’t competed in the tournament since 2019. She’s unseeded this year, but is listed at +900 to win the tournament outright. Only behind the favorite Iga Swiatek, and tied with fourth seed Anett Kontaveit.

WTA BNP Paribas Open Odds

Odds as of March 8th at DraftKings.

Swiatek is the woman to beat in Indian Wells, with +800 odds to win. The 20-year old has a fairly straightforward path to the final, but is she the best bet? Continue below for a breakdown and our best bet predictions ahead of main draw play.

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Swiatek the Favorite

If there’s a player to beat here, it’s definitely Swiatek.

Swiatek started 2022 strong with a semifinal appearance at the Adelaide International, followed by a semifinal showing at the Australian Open, and most recently won at the Qatar Open.

All eyes will be on the 20-year old, as she fights her way through the two-week tournament. In comparison to a few of her competitors, Swiatek does actually have a pretty direct route to the final here.

Main draw at Indian Wells (WTA 1000), where Barbora Krejcikova, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Anett Kontaveit are the top seeds.

1R Highlight: Naomi Osaka vs. Sloane Stephens.#BNPPO22 pic.twitter.com/d39ThJNfZN

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 8, 2022

The third seed will open her tournament up against Clara Burel or Anhelina Kalinina in the second round, after receiving her first round bye. She’s never faced either player before, but should be the heavy favorite to win.

From there, she could see Clara Tauson, Angelique Kerber, Daria Kasatkina, and other. But she matches up well against all three. Swiatek has a 3-1 head-to-head record against Kasatkina, and Kerber has yet to find her first win of the season.

Expect Swiatek to be the one to come out of her quarter.

Badosa the Defending Champion

Unlike Swiatek, Badosa’s route to the final looks much tougher, thanks to the draw.

The fifth seed will receive her first round bye, and open up against Tereza Martincova, who she has yet to find success against. Martincova leads a 3-0 head-to-head record against the Spaniard.

The 24-year old hasn’t had the most amazing start to the year, but has battled in every tournament she’s entered. She started strong when she won the Sydney International in January, but most recently has just had a Round of 32 appearance at the Dubai Tennis Championship, and a Round of 16 showing at the Qatar Open.

If Badosa is able to get through Martincova, she might be able to make a bit of a run, but it’s going to be a tough battle to defend her trophy.

Dark Horses

Aryna Sabalenka, Simona Halep, and Maria Sakkari are three players that could disrupt one’s road to the final, and make a deep run themselves.

Potential QFs

(1) Krejcikova vs Pliskova (7)
(3) Swiatek vs Muguruza (8)
(5) Badosa vs Kontaveit (4)
(6) Sakkari vs Sabalenka (2)#IndianWells pic.twitter.com/rVtDURjgjZ

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 7, 2022

Sabalenka and Sakkari are both in the fourth quarter, which could set up a blockbuster of a quarterfinal match. But on route to the quarter’s they could end the likes of Ons Jabeur and Victoria Azarenka’s tournament early.

BNP Paribas Open Best Bet

Swiatek and Kontaveit are two safe bets here. Their odds are listed at +800 and +900, and the return would be worthwhile.

The two aren’t in the same half, so it’s possible to have a Swiatek vs. Kontaveit final.

Out of the two, Swiatek would be the best bet. Both players have already collected a title in 2022, but it’s Swiatek that most recently defeated Kontaveit to win at the Qatar Open just last week, winning in straight set.

Sakkari looks to be the longer bet, as she’s been a consistent force to be reckoned with on tour in 2022. With +1400 to win outright, it’s definitely the longer shot to win. But the Greek’s last two tournament have included a final and semifinal appearance, making it seem possible for a long successful run here in California.

Best Bet: Swiatek (+800)

Longer Shot: Sakkari (+1400)