March is a month for Cinderellas. Who will the slipper fit at Indian Wells and Miami?
On top-heavy tours, these underdogs boast some relatively high rankings—and title-winning potential.
WATCH: 50 Years of the WTA, Chapter 2—our year-long series continues
Question 1: Who are your Cinderella picks for Indian Wells and Miami? (No ranking restrictions.)
Peter Bodo: Caroline Garcia has had time to adjust to her status as an elite player, and she took two tough losses to quality players in her last two outings. Let’s go with her for Indian Wells, and prepare to fit the Miami glass slipper on the foot of Belinda Bencic. As for the men, wouldn’t it be great to see Tommy Paul become the second American man in succession to win at Indian Wells? And nobody is running around on South Beach talking about Alexander Zverev, but he’s got the talent and experience to cap his comeback from injury with another Masters title.
Joel Drucker: At Indian Wells: Frances Tiafoe, who lights up the court and has made loads of improvements recently; and Bencic, who plays with pinpoint precision and has had several big-occasion moments. At Miami: Sebastian Korda, who has the skills required to win his home state’s biggest event; and Victoria Azarenka, who still has plenty of game to take the title she first won as a teenager.
Matt Fitzgerald: What’s in a Cinderella at IW and Miami—a player outside the Top 20, someone flying far below the radar? Open to interpretation, I’ll back Czechs Linda Fruhvirtova and Jiri Lehecka to further introduce themselves as competitors with bright futures.
David Kane: Paula Badosa, who has struggled with health and fitness since capturing the Indian Wells title in 2021, would be a redemptive Cinderella in the desert. In Miami, look for a "Fifth Slam" breakthrough from Jannik Sinner; the young Italian has been on the cusp of the top tier for two years.
Stephanie Livaudais: Former Indian Wells champion Azarenka, who recently made an Australian Open semifinal, is always a contender, while Casper Ruud could surprise a wide-open men’s field in California. Coco Gauff is seeking her first 1000-level title on home soil, and Miami could be the place for it to happen. It's also where 2021 champion Hubert Hurkacz, who trains at Saddlebook, enjoys a home-court advantage.
Ed McGrogan: Borna Coric has gotten off to a slow start this season, but he won the last U.S. Masters tournament, in Cincinnati, and he's gone deep at both Sunshine Double events before (semis at Indian Wells; quarters—twice—in Miami). He's a great hard-court player, much like Shelby Rogers, who feels due for a deep run at the 1000 level.
Stephen Tignor: On the men's side, J.J. Wolf. He may not win a title this month, but the American crowd could push this cult hero far. On the women's side, Barbora Krejcikova. She found her form in Dubai last week, and she should like a slow hard court.