PREVIEWS: On International Women's Day, moms Azarenka and Serena meet

Before each day's play at Indian Wells, we'll preview a pair of must-see matches. Our breakdowns will also include each players' UTR. What is UTR? Go to our Tennis Magazine feature and learn more.

*Victoria Azarenka (BLR) - WTA No. 48, UTR No. 29 (12.98)

Serena Williams (USA) - WTA No. 10, UTR No. 1 (13.36)*

These two Grand Slam champions will face off for the first time as mothers. Azarenka has been on the comeback trail for the last year, and after a slow start to 2019 made a quarterfinal run last week in Acapulco. She often plays her best at Indian Wells, which she's won twice—including in 2016, when she beat Williams in a straight-set final. Beyond that result, though, their head-to-head is lopsided, with Serena owning a 17-4 advantage.

Having played just one tournament this year, Serena is a question mark. She withdrew from the doubles at Indian Wells, and the last time we saw her, she was collapsing from a seemingly insurmountable 5-1 lead in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Azarenka may not be playing on the level of Karolina Pliskova, the beneficiary of Williams' Melbourne mess, but she's more than capable of taking advantage of any opportunities that come her way. While Serena comes into this contest cold, Vika has a 6-2, 6-3 win in the desert under her belt.

Physically, Azarenka looks as strong as ever. If she can keep her composure on service games and avoid costly double faults, this could be a classic. On a cold and windy night match, the conditions will favor no one. In the end, despite Serena's lack of match play, I expect her overpowering serve to carry her to an 18th victory over the two-time major champion.

*Steve Johnson (USA) - ATP No. 38, UTR No. 60 (15.1)

Taylor Fritz (USA) - ATP No. 46, UTR No. 49 (15.18)*

Fritz and Johnson didn’t need to drive to the desert to play each other; these Californians know each other well. Johnson started out playing singles for the University of Southern Cal and quickly became not only the best college tennis player in the country, but of all time, statistically speaking. Fritz, on the other hand, turned pro at 17 and broke into the Top 100 in a hurry.

There will be no surprises in this match, as Fritz will look for the Johnson backhand every chance he gets. Johnson will use his brutally heavy serve and forehand to get Fritz off the court and run him around. Johnson owns the forehand-to-forehand rallies, but Fritz owns the backhand-to-backhand rallies. It should be a fun game of cat and mouse, as these players try to exploit each other's weakness.

Fritz has played better tennis than Johnson in 2019, ranking 45th in three-month trending UTR, while Johnson ranks 110th. Look for Fritz to take out his friend and Golden State neighbor in three tough sets.

*Dan Evans (GBR): ATP No. 100, UTR No. 43 (15.19)

Stan Wawrinka (SUI): ATP No. 40, UTR No. 20 (15.43)*

Evans is ranked 100th in the world but is playing like a Top 50 player. UTR agrees, as he’s rated as the 43rd best player—and his three-month trending UTR rates him as the 32nd best player. The 28-year-old will have his hands full, though, against one of the heaviest hitters in the game. After battling the injury bug, the 33-year-old Wawrinka is healthy and hitting his backhand as hard as can be.

Evans has spectacular hands, and will be able to absorb Wawrinka's power, especially with his slice backhand. Don’t be surprised to see him up an early break, or even a set. But in the end, look for the unrelenting pace from Wawrinka to exhaust the talented Brit.