Preview and Prediction
So far this year, Indian Wells hasn’t been a haven for Cinderellas. Most of the high men’s and women’s seeds are still surviving and advancing. Which makes Gibson a welcome new face in a familiar crowd.
The 21-year-old Australian is ranked 120th. Her last tournament was in Bengaluru. She had to win two qualifying matches to make the main draw, and she has been on court for 11 hours in total, seven more than Noskova. Yet in her last three matches, she has beaten three Top 20 opponents: Ekaterina Alexandrova, Clara Tauson, and Jasmine Paolini.
“Still pretty speechless that I made it this far,” Gibson said on Tuesday.
Can she make it farther by knocking off a fourth Top 20 foe? Noskova is ranked 14th, and she may be the best ball-striker of Gibson’s opponents. In fact, she leans into her shots a lot like Gibson herself. Each woman has a strong serve, forehand, and especially backhand, all hit with heavy, sturdy pace.
Noskova has been due for a breakthrough at this level for a couple of years. But maybe it’s Gibson who’s ready right now. Winner: Gibson
