Varvara Gracheva vs Lilli Tagger Preview & Prediction | 2026 Indian Wells Open (BNP Paribas Open) | First Round

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Varvara Gracheva goes up against Lilli Tagger in the first-round of Indian Wells. 

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 Varvara Gracheva vs Lilli Tagger ticket information

Varvara Gracheva vs Lilli Tagger prediction

Varvara Gracheva has shown some form already this season ahead of Indian Wells, with eight wins from 13 matches. She qualified for the Qatar Open and pulled off an upset with a win over Linda Noskova on her way to reaching the third-round, where she would lose to Maria Sakkari. She achieved the same feat in Dubai as she safely navigated her way through the qualifying stages, before a second-round loss to Jessica Pegula, with the American going on to win the event.

Lilli Tagger is her first-round opponent at Indian Wells. The 18-year-old is ranked just inside the top 120 of the world rankings, having already enjoyed success at lower-level events this season. Tagger won the ITF Fujariah Championships earlier last month and then went on to make the final of the Mumbai Open just a week later. She has nine wins from her last 10 matches.

Gracheva’s experience is likely to prove crucial here, but Tagger will relish the opportunity and should challenge strongly.  

Varvara Gracheva vs Lilli Tagger tip: Over 22.5 games