The official Indian Wells 2022 women’s singles draw has finally been released. The top players in the world will battle it out in the maiden Masters 1000 of the season. However, Australian Open champion and World Number 1, Ashleigh Barty, has pulled out of the tournament owing to health issues. Another notable absentee is Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins, who will be out of action after suffering an injury.

Paula Badosa had claimed the first big title of her career when she defeated Victoria Azarenka to win the Indian Wells 2021 title. She had defeated the likes of Coco Gauff, Barbora Krejcikova, Angelique Kerber, and others en route to her title run.

Who are the Indian Wells women’s singles top seeds?

In the absence of Ashleigh Barty, World Number 2, Barbora Krejcikova, is the Number 1 seed. Aryna Sabalenka is the second seed followed by an in-form Iga Swiatek, the Qatar TotalEnergies Open champion. Anett Kontaveit and the defending champion, Paula Badosa are the fourth and fifth seeds, respectively.

DIVE DEEPER: What Is the Sunshine Double and How Many Players Have Won It?

Maria Sakkari, Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza, Ons Jabeur, and Jelena Ostapenko complete the top 10 seeds. However, Naomi Osaka, who has had a disappointing start to this season, is unseeded this year after her WTA ranking has fallen to Number 78 in the world.

BNP Paribas Open 2022 women’s singles draw

The seeded players receive a bye in the first round and will take court from the second round onwards. Nonetheless, the 2018 Indian Wells champion, Naomi Osaka, will take on Sloane Stephens in a mouth-watering first-round encounter.

Further, the top seed, Barbora Krejcikova, and the third seed, Iga Swiatek are drawn in the top half of the draw and could potentially clash in the semifinals. The Number 1 seed has been handed a tough draw, as Simona Halep, Emma Raducanu, Coco Gauff are all present in her quarter. Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek could potentially square off against Angelique Kerber in the fourth round and Garbine Muguruza in the quarterfinals.

WATCH THIS STORY: Serena Williams’ Unforgettable Moments at the Australian Open

In the bottom half of the draw, defending champion, Paula Badosa could potentially face Jelena Ostapenko or Leylah Fernandez in the fourth round. Additionally, the fourth seed, Anett Kontaveit is present in the same quarter as Badosa, and the two could meet in the quarterfinals. Further, 2021 runner-up, Victoria Azarenka could meet second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round. If Sabalenka gets past the initial rounds unscathed, she could potentially face Maria Sakkari and Anett Kontaveit in the quarterfinals and the semifinals, respectively.

After a thrilling Australian Open, the action shifts to the western part of the globe. It will be interesting to see who comes out on the top. Who is your pick for this year’s Indian Wells title? Let us know your views in the comments below.