An unexpected treat: A Bianca Andreescu vs. Angelique Kerber preview

A gold star for anyone who predicted, before the tournament began, that this would be the women’s final. The presence of the 18-year-old Andreescu, who began the year ranked No. 178, is obviously a shock. But Kerber wasn’t really part of the contenders’ conversation when the draw was made, either. She had never reached an Indian Wells final; she had made just one semifinal in 2018; and she was drummed out of the season’s biggest event, the Australian Open, 6-0, 6-2 by Danielle Collins.

But Kerber and Andreescu it is, and you can’t say they haven’t earned their spots. Kerber came back from 1-4 down in the third set to beat Aryna Sabalanka in the round of 16, straight-setted Venus Williams in the quarters, and slayed the WTA’s new giant killer, Belinda Bencic, in the semis. For her part, Andreescu steamrolled two-time Slam champ Garbiñe Muguruza, 6-0, 6-1, and outdueled No. 6 seed Elina Svitolina in a three-set semifinal.

But even if it wasn’t the final we expected, it should be one we can enjoy. Kerber and Andreescu are both consistent players who rely on thoughtful tactics, a variety of shots, constant changes of pace, and a mix of offense and defense. Neither is a power server or a hit-and-miss ball basher. It should be interesting to see the German and the Canadian, who have never faced each other, adjust to each other’s games as the match progresses.

Kerber obviously has more big-match experience, but Andreescu is on a breakthrough roll—we saw how far Naomi Osaka took a similar burst of momentum here last year. Andreescu also has a little more offensive weaponry than Kerber. Against Svitolina in the semifinals, it was the teenager who ran around to hit forehands and controlled the rallies with that shot.

Like that match, this one should also be on Andreescu’s racquet; right now that seems like a very good place for it to be.

Winner: Andreescu