WTA Indian Wells: Sakkari vs Kvitova Tennis Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 WTA Indian Wells tournament as Maria Sakkari takes on Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinal on Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

Will Maria Sakkari’s defense hold up against Petra Kvitova’s devastating power? This should be a gripping quarterfinal at Indian Wells, which incidentally is a rematch from last year’s third-round encounter at this tournament. So who will prevail?

Maria Sakkari vs. Petra Kvitova Match Preview

Maria Sakkari has once again been very consistent in reaching the latter stages of tournaments, but she is yet to reach a WTA final. She is defending runner-up points this week, so unless she gets to the final, then her top-10 ranking might be under serious threat. Sakkari has weathered the storm at Indian Wells, coming through a trio of three-setters to reach the last eight. So Petra Kvitova will need a top-class performance to send the Greek packing here.

Petra Kvitova, for her part, looked down and out in her fourth-round match against Jessica Pegula. She saved four match points, before snatching an unlikely win in the third-set tiebreak. She improves her dominance over the Ameircna to 4-1 in their head-to-head, although she has never gone beyond the quarterfinal stage at Indian Wells. Can she change that record on Wednesday against Maria Sakkari?

Maria Sakkari vs. Petra Kvitova Prediction and Pick

Maria Sakkari leads Petra Kvitova 4-3 in their head-to-head, winning their aforementioned third-round match at Indian Wells last season 6-3 6-0. We do not envisage a one-sided contest, partly because Sakkari’s form throughout the fortnight has been shaky. Kvitova has fared well against high-caliber opposition this year, beating Pegula on two occasions already, and earning wins over Rybakina, Garcia, and Ostapenko in recent weeks. Kvitova’s serve can be intermittently inconsistent which might give Sakkari hope. But if the Czech puts it together, it will be a daunting task for the Greek to get any decent purchase on the return. And with the 33-year-old cranking up the heat from the baseline with her seemingly uncontrollable power, Sakkari could have her work cut out, particularly with night conditions expected to suit Kvitova.