Between March 1 and March 15, the BNP Paribas Open, also known as the Indian Wells Open, is being held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California. In recent years, the premier sporting event has become as much about fashion and status as it is about sports.
Set in the scenic California desert in Indian Wells, with top-notch facilities, the tournament has been voted the tennis players' favorite of the year. It is often referred to as the "fifth slam" for being the biggest tournament outside the four majors. The intimate, more laid-back experience is unique, with fans able to get within shouting distance of Naomi Osaka or Aryna Sabalenka as they practice or stretch out on the idyllic grass lawn.
Linda Noskova will meet Talia Gibson in the BNP Paribas Open quarterfinals on Thursday, March 12. Noskova is the favorite (-300) in this match, compared to the underdog Gibson, who is +240.
Long lines had already formed outside of Stadium 3 six hours before the start of Alexandra Eala's second-round match against Dayana Yastremska at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday. Holding Filipino flags and wearing shirts that read "Alexandra Eala fan club," hundreds of enthusiastic fans looked desperate to make their way inside to get a glimpse of the 20-year-old sensation.
I think today is not the kind of day that you want to assess. The conditions are impossible. - Venus Williams following her first-round loss, highlighting how extreme weather at Indian Wells makes it difficult to fairly evaluate player performance and tournament conditions.
