Chinese superstar Qinwen Zheng is one person who seems to be enjoying the new Indian Wells surfaces.
2025 WTA Tour
WTA 1000
Indian Wells Open
Indian Wells Tennis Garden, California (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 12th March
Qinwen Zheng (8) 0.61 vs Marta Kostyuk (18) 1.27
Chinese superstar Qinwen Zheng is one person who seems to be enjoying the new Indian Wells surfaces. Zheng enjoyed a career-defining 2024 campaign, winning Olympic Gold in singles and reaching her maiden Grand Slam final in Melbourne (she also finished runner-up at the WTA Finals). But the Chinese star really struggled in the early stages of this season, battling serving demons and a weak backhand as she slumped to 1-3 in her first four matches. But she has found a little something in the California air, winning consecutive matches for the first time this season (beating Azarenka and Lulu Sun in straight sets). Her first-serve percentage hasn’t been amazing, and she has still served nine double faults over the first two matches. But she seems a bit more composed in the longer rallies, using that heavy, flat forehand to pin down her opponents. If there is any extra zip out there, Zheng will certainly exploit it.
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk is one of the most entertaining- and somewhat infuriating- players on the WTA Tour. A firm fan favourite, Kostyuk plays an exciting, aggressive brand of tennis. She moves fluidly and looks to get forward, often drive volleying to finish points. The only thing that is missing these days is the backflip celebration (which was a feature in her early days on tour). She enjoyed a solid 2024 campaign, finishing runner-up in San Diego and Stuttgart (she also reached her maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal in Melbourne). But her form wavered in the latter part of the campaign, and she hasn’t exactly set the world on fire this (she has been eliminated in the first round of three events this season). However, she picked up one of the biggest wins of her career in Qatar, taking down reigning WTA Finals champ Coco Gauff en route to a quarterfinal finish. The Ukrainian has looked revitalized at Indian Wells, winning both her matches in comfortable fashion. A semifinalist here last year, Kostyuk’s athleticism is a huge plus in windy, turgid conditions.
The Verdict: Kostyuk to win in straight sets at 2.7- These two share the head-to-head spoils at one win apiece, with Kostyuk winning their most recent meeting in Stuttgart last year. Zheng seems a different player since the return of coach Pere Riba (who just recovered form surgery). But I just think that Kostyuk’s more polished all-court game is better suited to these conditions (as evidenced by her semifinal run last year).
