Indian Wells: Raducanu vs Kovinic Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 WTA Indian Wells tournament as Emma Raducanu takes on Danka Kovinic in the first round on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

Emma Raducanu will be hoping she is passed fit for this match against World No. 62 Danka Kovinic. Who will prevail and reach the second round of Indian Wells?

Emma Raducanu vs. Danka Kovinic Match Preview

Emma Raducanu hasn’t played since the Australian Open defeat to Coco Gauff. Raducanu’s health continues to be a huge concern and her progress has stalled. Having retired from four matches and withdrawing altogether from a series of WTA tournaments last season, Raducanu is not winning the race against her body. Last week she pulled out from the inaugural Austin Open due to tonsilitis. She was due to play mixed doubles with Cameron Norrie at the Eisenhower Cup but withdrew and did not practice on Tuesday. Will she recover in time to play Danka Kovinic at Indian Wells?

Danka Kovinic is 5-5 for the season and has lost three in a row coming to Indian Wells. But with Raducanu’s fitness perhaps not up to the required standards, the Montenegrin will be looking to snap her losing run. Kovinic has previously been to the third round in her last visit to the desert, beating Jil Teichmann and Karolina Pliskova at last year’s event. Could she add the Briton to her list of casualties?

Emma Raducanu vs. Danka Kovinic Prediction and Pick

Danka Kovinic leads Emma Raducanu 1-0 in their head-to-head, beating the Briton at the 2022 Australian Open in three sets. It is not beyond Kovinic to spring another surprise here at Indian Wells. She loves these slow-playing conditions and with Raducanu’s health a huge concern, we like the Montenegrin to extend her winning record in the series.