Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova is set to cross paths with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk yet again this year. This time they will be facing each other at the R16 clash at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. In fact, this will be their third meeting in almost a month’s gap. Who do you think will win this intriguing contest at Court 2?

Pavlyuchenkova is entering this faceoff after a stellar victory against the Brazilian, Beatriz Haddad Maia by a 2-6,6-4,6-3 margin. However, Kostyuk on the other hand, has got a fair amount of rest due to the withdrawal of Marketa Vondrousova in her previous match citing personal reasons. Do you think this will be an advantage for Kostyuk against Pavlyuchenkova?

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova vs Marta Kostyuk: Preview

Pavlyuchenkova reached the SF of the Indian Wells Open in 2009. But that time, she was defeated by Ana Ivanovic by 6-2,6-3. However, if we look at her run this year. She looks to be in good touch at the moment. This year she started her campaign at the ASB Classic where she was defeated by the 22-year-old American, Amanda Anisimova by 5-7,4-6. But after that, she reached the QF of the Adelaide International and reached the second of the 2024 AO before making it to the two successive SF appearances at Linz and Doha.

In the Dubai Tennis Championships, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova reached the R32 but had to withdraw from the tournament due to illness. Then in the San Diego Open, she was shown the exit door by Marta Kostyuk in the QF. Can she give it back to the Ukrainian in her next match? Well, she has started her campaign really well at the Indian Wells this time around. This going to be an exciting encounter.

Marta Kostyuk on the other hand, took part in the Brisbane International earlier this year. But got defeated in her second match over there. However, she reached the QF in Adelaide and 2024 AO. But Coco Gauff defeated her in the QF of the AO by 7-6(6),6(3)-7,6-2 to secure her place in the semis. In Qatar Open she was forced to give a walkover and didn’t take part in her next tournament in Dubai.

She made a comeback in the San Diego Open and reached the finals of the tournament. But got defeated by British tennis star, Katie Boulter by 7-5,2-6,2-6. How far do you think Marta Kostyuk can reach this time at the Indian Wells?

Pavlyuchenkova vs Kostyuk: Head-to-Head

Both of them have met each other twice in their career and both of their meetings have come in this year itself. They currently share the H2H score with a 1-1 margin. Their first meeting ended abruptly in Doha, where Marta Kostyuk had to withdraw from the match midway with a scoreline of 2-1 in favor of the Russian in the first set.

But in their next meeting in San Diego, Kostyuk snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat and outclassed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova by 3-6,6-4,6-3 margin. In recent matches, Marta Kostyuk has won 65% of her matches (17-9) while Pavlyuchenkova has managed to win 69% of her matches (20-9). Kostyuk’s best performances have been on the clay courts with a win percentage of 67%. While Pavlyuchenkova has a 67% winning record on the hard courts. So, clearly, the Russian looks a bit ahead looking at these stats.

Pavlyuchenkova has played 22 matches this season and has won 16 out of them. While Marta Kostyuk has played only 18 matches winning 13 out of them. So, who’ll get the upper hand this time around at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden?

Prediction: Kostyuk to win this match

Although Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has won 12 titles in her career and has all the experience on her side. But the 21YO Ukrainian tennis star is more than capable of challenging her on the courts, despite having tasted only a single triumph so far in her career.

Pavlyuchenkova is 11 years older than Kostyuk. It’ll be interesting to see her movements on the court and how agile she can be against her younger opponent. And, to remind you again, Kostyuk is entering into this match after a good amount of rest. So, what’s your prediction for this match?

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