Keys Faces Mertens in High-Stakes Indian Wells Clash

INDIAN WELLS, California — Reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys will meet Elise Mertens in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on March 10, 2025. The fifth seed Keys, boasting a 15-1 record this season, is considered the favorite following her commanding first-round victory.

Keys cruised past Russia‘s Anastasia Potapova with a 6-3, 6-0 scoreline, hoping to surpass her previous quarterfinal performance at Indian Wells in 2022. “I’m focused on improving my game with each match,” said Keys, who secured titles in Adelaide and Melbourne earlier this season before taking a short break in February.

Mertens, seeded 28th, is also off to a solid start this year, finishing as the runner-up at the Hobart International and winning her ninth career title at the Singapore Open. In her tournament opener at Indian Wells, Mertens defeated Australia‘s Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 7-5, demonstrating resilience after a hard-fought match.

The duo has met five times on the WTA tour, with Keys leading the head-to-head 3-2. Despite Keys winning their first three encounters, Mertens has claimed victory in their last two meetings at the 2023 Cincinnati Open and the 2024 US Open.

Betting odds favor Keys, with a moneyline of -275 against Mertens’ +210. “I feel confident heading into this match,” Keys added, emphasizing her effective serving and shot-making skills that have been pivotal in her recent successes.

While Keys relies on her power game, Mertens brings variety to the court. “I focus on mixing my shots and approaching the net to finish points early,” said Mertens. However, her groundstrokes may face challenges against the slower courts of Indian Wells, where Keys’ fast-court strategy is more advantageous.

The match is set to start at a time not before 1:00 PM ET on March 10, with viewers able to catch the action live on Tennis Channel in the U.S. and on Sky Sports in the U.K. Tennis fans are in for an exciting showdown as the two players vie for a place in the fourth round of this prestigious WTA 1000 event.

As both contenders aim to progress through the tournament, Keys is predicted to victoriously navigate the competition in straight sets.