Sharapova Highlights Wednesday Action; Serena Williams, Azarenka Return Thursday Night

The next two evenings in Indian Wells are bound to be electric.

Making her much-anticipated return to Indian Wells for the first time in three years, unseeded Maria Sharapova will kick off her 2018 BNP Paribas Open campaign against Japan’s Naomi Osaka on Wednesday afternoon (not before 5 p.m.).

Also returning to the desert are new moms Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, who are scheduled to be in action on Thursday night at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Williams faces Kazakh Zarina Diyas, while the wild card Azarenka meets Brit Heather Watson.

Sharapova (2006, 2013), Williams (1999, 2001) and Azarenka (2012, 2016) are all seeking a record third BNP Paribas Open title.