Francesca Jones vs Kayla Day Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Indian Wells

Prediction published on 04/03/2026, 15:30  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 05/03/2026 at 17:35 in Tennis Predictions

For the first time since 2016, qualifier Kayla Day faces unseeded Francesca Jones. Who will make it through to round two of the outdoor hard court BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells? Read our match prediction below.

It was in the Wimbledon Juniors tournament that they last met. Day won that match in three sets and a decade later.

26-year-old Day reached round two of this Sunshine Swing event two years ago. This year saw her need to qualify and the American won both her matches in straight sets. 14 of her 17 matches have been won this year but in W35 and W50 tournaments.

This is only her second ATP Tour main draw match this year after a recent loss in Austin.

Francesca Jones is 90th in the live rankings, 80 places above her opponent. The 25-year-old is making her debut at Indian Wells. Jones has only played five matches this year (all on this surface), winning two of them.

Those wins came in Auckland, where the British player beat Emma Navarro on her way to the semi-finals. Jones retired in the last four and also round one of the Australian Open. Her one match since then was a loss to Peyton Stearns in Austin.

We tip Jones to win.