Indian Wells 2023: Coco Gauff vs Linda Noskova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick | BNP Paribas Open
Match details
Fixture: (6) Coco Gauff vs Linda Noskova.
Date: March 12, 2023.
Tournament: BNP Paribas Open.
Round: Third round (Round of 32).
Venue: Indian Wells, California, USA.
Category: WTA 1000.
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt.
Prize money: $8,800,000.
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video.
Coco Gauff vs Linda Noskova preview
Teenagers Coco Gauff and Linda Noskova are set to square off in the third round of the 2023 BNP Paribas Open on Sunday.
After an opening-round bye, Gauff took on qualifier Cristina Bucsa in the second round. The American youngster stepped up her game halfway through the first set as she bagged four games in a row to clinch it.
Gauff secured a break of serve in the early stages of the second set to go 3-1 up. She maintained her position as the frontrunner and even served for the match at 5-3. With her back up against the wall, Bucsa managed to break the teen's serve to make it 5-4.
Gauff managed to pull it together before the situation went completely out of control. She broke back immediately in the following game to win the match 6-2, 6-4.
Noskova, meanwhile, knocked out Irina Camelia Begu to set up a second-round date with Amanda Anisimova.
The Czech trailed by 3-1 in the first set, but leveled the score in no time. The set eventually went into a tie-break, which was a topsy turvy affair. Noskova gained the upper hand in it to claim the opener.
Anisimova started the second set on a strong note as she led by 2-0. Noskova then turned the tables on her opponent by winning six of the next seven games to complete a 7-6 (6), 6-3 victory.
Coco Gauff vs Linda Noskova head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between the two, so the head-to-head stands at 0-0 for now.
Coco Gauff vs Linda Noskova odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Coco Gauff vs Linda Noskova prediction
Noskova recently usurped the mantle of the youngest player ranked in the top 100 from Gauff. The American previously held the record since October 2019. Despite being just a few months apart in age, there's a huge gulf in their experience.
Gauff has been a permanent fixture on the WTA tour for more than three years now, while Noskova is currently making her breakthrough. The American made it through her second-round contest unscathed and aside from a slight stumble towards the end, was relatively solid.
Noskova was tested a bit by Anisimova, but proved herself capable of rising to the challenge. She might find herself on the backfoot due to Gauff's defensive skills, but if she's able to exploit her opponent's forehand, she might have a shot.
However, the conditions here do give Gauff a shot at stablizing her forehand. Noskova does have a couple of top 10 scalps to her name, but getting the better of the American could prove to be a tough task.
Pick: Coco Gauff to win in straight sets.