2021 Indian Wells Masters First Round – Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson on and what time does it start? Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson will take place on Wednesday 6th October, 2021 – not before 20:15 (UK)
Where is Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson taking place? Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson will take place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, USA
What surface is Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson being played on? Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson will take place on an outdoor hard court
Where can I get tickets for Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson? Visit this link for the latest ticket information for Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson
What channel is Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson on? Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson will be televised on the Amazon Prime Video app on smart TVs
Where can I stream Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson? Amazon Prime subscribers can stream Sloane Stephens vs Heather Watson live via their platform
THE LOWDOWN
2016 US Open champion Sloane Stephens has reached as far as the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, where he lost to Flavia Pennetta in 2014, and she is always one to watch on US soil. Four of her six WTA titles have come in the US, with her last title her first Masters win at the 2018 Miami Open. The 28-year-old has put in some excellent individual performances this season without really threatening to go too deep at any one tournament, although we did some of her best work at Wimbledon and the US Open this year. She faces world number 57 Heather Watson for a seventh time in their careers next with the 29-year-old Brit back where her game is best on a North American hardcourt. Watson claimed her most recent title at last season’s Acapulco Open just before the pandemic interrupted a promising season on tour and she will be up for this in a big way.
THE PREDICTION
Given what Stephen has done in the game, it comes as something of a surprise to find Watson leads their head-to-head 3-2 in tour-level matches. Their last meeting came in a Watson win in straight sets at the 2016 Miami Open but the Brit also beat Stephens on the way to her Hobart International title win back in 2015. Stephens remains the favourite to win here on this season’s form but this could be a vastly entertaining first round match. Take the American to win at least a set for a suitably cautious pick.
