2022 BNP Paribas Open Picks for March 19 (Archive)
Today at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells the men play their semifinals and the women play the final. We have seen an excellent tournament with a high level of play so far. We have two more exciting days to go. Let’s find the winning tennis picks.
Taylor Fritz vs. Andrey Rublev
Saturday, March 19, 2022 – 04:00 PM EDT at Stadium 1
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Taylor Fritz has definitely accomplished his goal here at Indian Wells. Fritz came in needing to defend semifinal points from last October's event. Many thought he would be hard-pressed to do so with the stacked field and the tournament taking place in its normal time on the calendar. Fritz was able to get the job done and now has a chance to improve on his performance from last year and make the finals.
According to the rankings, Fritz's path has been easier than last season. However, players such as his quarterfinal opponent, Miomir Kecmanovic, came in excellent form. The highest-ranked player he has beaten so far is number 31 in the world Alex De Minaur. Taylor Fritz becomes the first American to make back-to-back semifinal appearances at Indian Wells since Andy Roddick in 2009/2010.
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Taylor Fritz is a hard-serving American with a big forehand. His backhand needs some work, but so far it has shown to be competent within the confines of this tournament. Overall he will need to work on his backhand to make the step to the next level. Fritz's backhand will be a target for Rublev today.
This is Andrey Rublev's best performance in Indian Wells in his career. Rublev has failed to make it past the third round the first five times he has been here in the desert. This breakthrough bodes well for Rublev who has always played well on quicker hard courts. If Rublev is able to improve his game to the level where he can win on slower hard courts too, he has a chance to really dominate this season.
In the quarterfinals, Rublev beat Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 6-2. Rublev was in control the whole way in another dominating performance. He has not lost a set this entire tournament and has not lost at all as of late. Rublev has won 13 matches in a row. His last loss was on February 12th in Rotterdam. He followed that up by winning the tournament in Marseilles and then the tournament in Dubai. Rublev is in some of the best form of any man on tour.
Andrey Rublev will be able to take advantage of Taylor Fritz's inconsistency and weaker backhand. Rublev has the forehand to keep pace with Fritz's powerful forehand weapon and should have the advantage when their rallies go cross-court on the backhand side.
Prediction
Rublev has been serving just as well as Fritz, so Fritz will not have an advantage there. I was tempted to bet the over, but Rublev currently is too dominating. Today’s best bet for the ATP semifinal is Andrey Rublev -3 games.
ATP Pick: Andrey Rublev -3 (-101) at BookMaker (visit our BookMaker Review)
Iga Swiatek vs. Maria Sakkari
Sunday, March 20, 2022 - 02:00 PM EDT at Stadium 1
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Iga Swiatek won an impressive match against Simona Halep last evening. Swiatek looked in control the whole match, even though the first set went to a tiebreak. Swiatek has excellent ability and when she flashes her power she puts away the point even on the slow courts. Swiatek’s performance showed that she might be ready to take the crown away from Halep this clay-court season. This is a rivalry that I think will continue into the summer.
Maria Sakkari had one of the best performances in her career to make her first final in a Premier 1000 event. Sakkari absolutely dismantled Paula Badosa. She did have a misstep in the second set, but once the third-set started she put her foot on the gas and put Badosa away with ease.
Her impressive form was a great step for the young player. She now needs to perform on the big stage. Sakkari took a step forward last night by beating the defending champion.
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I like Iga Swiatek to win this match but at -210, the WTA odds are too high to say that we have an edge placing that wager. I think a better wager is the Over 21.
I don't necessarily know if Sakkari will be solid the whole way. I'm worried that she might have a bad set and not cover the game spread, but I think that she can at least keep this match close.
Prediction
Sakkari has been serving much better and that will be key going against such a well-rounded player as Swiatek. Our wager for the WTA Indian Wells final is Iga Swiatek/Maria Sakkari Over 21 games.
WTA Pick: Iga Swiatek/Maria Sakkari Over 21 Games (-109) at BookMaker
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