Emma Raducanu learns Indian Wells fate with blockbuster clash lined up

BNP Paribas Open 2024 – Day 2
Emma Raducanu enjoyed a career-best Indian Wells run last year (Picture: Getty)
British tennis star Emma Raducanu could be set to face world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka in the third round at Indian Wells in California.

The prestigious tournament, considered by many to be the unofficial fifth Grand Slam, gets underway on Wednesday with massive ranking points up for grabs.

Raducanu enjoyed her career-best Indian Wells performance last year in what was undoubtedly her finest showing in an injury-hit 2023 campaign.

The 2021 US Open champion arrived as a wildcard and produced impressive wins over Danka Kovinic, Magda Linette and Beatriz Haddad Maia.

The 21-year-old, currently ranked No.250 as she continues her comeback from injury problems, is projected to take on Sabalenka, a two-time major champion.

Belarusian star Sabalenka won the first Grand Slam of 2024 in January with her triumph at the Australian Open and would be a massive test for Raducanu.

Sabalenka, who is seeded second for Indian Wells, has a first-round bye and is expected to ease past Peyton Sterns or Elisabetta Cocciaretto in round two.

Raducanu, meanwhile, who has once again been handed a wildcard, faces a qualifier in her opener and then must get past 30th-seed Dayana Yastremska to set up the blockbuster clash against Sabalenka.

Raducanu, ranked as high as world No.10 in 2022, has never played Sabalenka on the WTA Tour and there potential match-up would be a intriguing battle.