Marta Kostyuk vs Taylor Townsend Preview & Prediction | 2026 Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas Open) | Second Round

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Marta Kostyuk makes her return to the tour against Taylor Townsend.

Ranking points: WTA 1000

Start date/time:

Venue: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, USA

Surface: Outdoor hard

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports Tennis / USA – Tennis Channel

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Tennis Channel

Tickets: Visit this link for the latest Marta Kostyuk vs Taylor Townsend ticket information

Marta Kostyuk vs Taylor Townsend prediction

Marta Kostyuk’s season began so strongly, as she defeated three top-10 players in a row to reach the final of the Brisbane International. She lost to Aryna Sabalenka, but the Ukrainian had real momentum ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year in Melbourne. However, she lost in the first-round to Elsa Jacquemot, despite serving for the match and having a match point. In the penultimate game of the match, Kostyuk suffered ankle ligament damage, which kept her out of action for the entirety of February. She makes her return to the tour here.

Taylor Townsend is her second-round opponent after Kostyuk received a bye. The American continued her run of form as she thrashed Marie Bouzkova in the first-round. Townsend kept creating opportunities in her return games, breaking five times to win 6-2 6-1 after one hour and 15 minutes. She reached the final of the ATX Open last week and now has seven wins from her last eight matches, including qualifying.

Kostyuk does lead the head-to-head 1-0 after a three set win over Townsend in Auckland two years ago. Nevertheless, the in-form Townsend will fancy her chances of pushing Kostyuk, who has not been in action for over six weeks.

Marta Kostyuk vs Taylor Townsend tip: Both players to win a set