World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka may be the most recent Grand Slam winner but Pam Shriver feels she could be hurt more than helped by a first round bye.
Sabalenka hasn’t played very much tennis since winning the Australian Open but will open against a player that will have already won at Indian Wells.
The 32 seeds enjoy a bye through the first round at Indian Wells.
Last season’s finalist in Indian Wells after a similar layoff, Sabalenka might be vulnerable early on.
“Of course, she can win in Indian Wells. But if you’re going to play someone who’s just won a major — for the second time — the time to do it is early,” Shriver told WTATour.com.
“I’m a big believer that these byes, given the depth in the game, can make it difficult. One match is not a lot of tennis since Melbourne, and that can be a problem. With 32 seeds, there’s a little more protection. Still, if Sabalenka gets rolling early, there’s no reason she can’t win this event.”
Shriver also feels that there will be a target on the back of world No 1 Iga Swiatek.
She wouldn’t write off the best player in women’s tennis though.
“I always see her as a contender, of course,” she added. She’s No.1, but it’s only natural it is starting to get a harder for Iga to stay there as we saw last year.
“But let’s not forget the dominant runs she has strung together, including a 37-match win streak in 2022 that included titles in Indian Wells and Miami. As the top player, you’re always a target.
“I was in Australia a couple months ago when she went three sets with Danielle Collins and lost to Linda Noskova.
“While it was a surprise, my feeling is the depth in women’s tennis is at its best, from No.10 to No.100, maybe more than No.2-10, so these upsets might become more frequent.”
Shriver believes the player that could be a banker to go deep in the desert is US Open champion Coco Gauff.
She feels that the US tennis star, who turns 20 during the tournament, has the grit to win when she isn’t playing well.
“The one thing I’m always impressed with, no matter how she’s playing, she rolls up her sleeves and is willing to get in the trenches. You only do that if you’re a natural competitor.
“There’s two major parts to Coco’s game: the mental game and her court speed. Speed, defense and attitude are pretty doggone good. That wins you a lot of matches, even if you’re not playing your best tennis.”
