Elena Rybakina vs Mirra Andreeva Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Blockbuster showdown in Indian Wells R16

Something has to give here - Andreeva is on an eight-match winning streak following her triumph at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai last month, while Rybakina has won her last eight matches at Indian Wells, winning the title in 2023 before missing last year with injury.

On current form, I'd have to say I'm leaning towards Andreeva. The 17-year-old phenom edged out Rybakina on her way to the aforementioned Dubai title and she's been in ruthless form in the desert so far this tournament, dropping just three games in her previous match. Rybakina loves these slower, grippier hardcourts at Indian Wells, but she's still searching for her best form after a difficult last few months on the tour dating back to the second half of 2024. With both previous meetings going the distance, I'm liking Over 22.5 total games, while Andreeva has recent form on her side.

Currently level at 1-1. Rybakina prevailed 2-6 6-4 6-1 back in Beijing in 2023, while Andreeva was a 6-4 4-6 6-3 winner in the Dubai semi-finals last month.

Rybakina has registered a 15-5 record on the season and comes into this clash on an eight-match winning streak at Indian Wells, where she defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the 2023 final.

However, a lot has changed for Rybakina since then - she's experienced a sustained dip in form, which obviously hasn't been helped by this controversy surrounding her coach, who has since been banned from the tour for a year.

The Kazakh had a decent Australian Open, reaching the fourth round and taking a set off eventual champion Madison Keys, while she was consistent without ever being spectacular in the Middle East swing, making the semi-finals of Abu Dhabi (lost to Bencic), the quarter-finals of Doha (lost to Swiatek) and the semis of Dubai (lost to Andreeva).

Rybakina hasn't dropped a set in making the R16 at Indian Wells this tournament, easing past Suzan Lamens and Katie Boulter.

The future is here in the form of Mirra Andreeva.

The 17-year-old has become the youngest ever player to win eight matches in a row at WTA 1000 level, while she's also the youngest to have reached the R16 at this level on seven occasions.

Andreeva sits behind only Iga Swiatek and Clara Tauson for match wins in 2025, putting together a 15-3 record, which was obviously highlighted by her stunning title triumph in Dubai, where she beat both Rybakina and Tauson en route.

Continuing her electric form in the Coachella Valley, Andreeva defeated Varvara Gracheva in straight sets to launch her Indian Wells campaign before swiftly dispatching Tauson once again in R3, not facing a single break point in the crushing 6-3 6-0 victory.