Skip to content
BNP Paribas Open
  • Get Tickets
  • Plan Your Visit
  • News
Get tickets

Indian Wells, California

March 4 - 17, 2024

Get tickets
  • 2024 BNP Paribas Open
  • Tickets & Packages Toggle
    • Series Packages
    • Mini Packages
    • Travel Packages
    • Group Packages
    • Luxury Suites
    • Single Session Tickets
    • Evening Session
    • Daily Doubles
    • Qualifying Rounds
    • My Tickets Account
  • News
  • Players
  • Tournament Toggle
    • Competition Schedule
    • How to Watch
    • 2023 Scores & Results
    • Venue ↗
    • History
    • Past Champions
  • Plan Your Visit Toggle
    • Dining
    • Shopping
    • 2023 On-Site Activities
    • Transportation/Parking
    • Official Event Mobile App
    • FAQS
  • Get Involved Toggle
    • Volunteers
    • Ball Crew
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Partnerships Toggle
    • Partners
    • Partnership Opportunities
  • Contact
BNP Paribas Open Insider News
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube
WTA

Storylines Galore in Women’s Doubles Field

by Melissa Isaacson
03/06/2018

Entering Wimbledon last summer, it had been three years since Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova’s last Grand Slam doubles victory. But in double-bagel fashion, the Russian tandem quickly reminded any doubters why they form the best team in the world.

Vesnina, the BNP Paribas Open’s defending singles champion, is now shooting for the tournament’s $1 million bonus, awarded to any player who wins both the singles and doubles titles, when she again teams up with her longtime partner at Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Vesnina/Makarova head a women’s doubles field that includes 2018 Australian Open champs Timea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic (who defeated Vesnina and Makarova in the final) and features another reunion of the Chan sisters.

No. 1-ranked doubles player Latisha Chan and 25-time Grand Slam champ Martina Hingis won seven doubles titles together in 2017, including the US Open and the BNP Paribas Open. But Latisha is back this week with her sister, Hao-Ching, who also goes by Angel, after Hingis’ retirement.

Latisha and Angel played two tournaments together when Hingis was unavailable, and remained close during their doubles separation. Before Hingis’ retirement, the sisters planned to reunite in preparation of the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, where they would represent Chinese Taipei.

“We [needed] to split to learn something new,” Latish told the New York Times.

Vesnina and Makarova lack only the US Open title for a career Slam in doubles, and are the 2016 Olympic gold medalists and 2016 WTA Finals champions since their partnership began in 2012.

“We know each other for many years,” Vesnina said. “When we first started playing together, we didn’t expect to be that good. But after our first tournament, we just realized our doubles was meant to be. It’s great to have her as a friend and partner.”

Also competing for the $8.6 million check in women’s doubles will be wild cards and first-round opponents Victoria Azarenka/Aryna Sabalenka and Eugenie Bouchard/Sloane Stephens.

Women’s Draws
Aryna SabalenkaDoublesEkaterina MakarovaElena VesninaEugenie BouchardHao-Ching ChanKristina MladenovicLatisha ChanMartina HingisSloane StephensTimea BabosVictoria AzarenkaWTA Doubles
  • Share it with facebook
  • Share it with twitter
  • Share it with email
Popular news
  • 07/13/2023 Wimbledon Watch: Ons Jabeur Leads The Charge Heading Into Championship Weekend
  • 07/17/2023 Wimbledon Recap: Alcaraz Marks Changing Of The Guard With Signature Victory Over Djokovic, Vondrousova Makes History
  • 03/19/2023 Aryna Sabalenka – Sunday. March 19, 2023
  • 03/13/2023 Q&A: Holger Rune Is Ready To Get To The Top Of Tennis
  • 03/10/2022 Women’s Rising Stars are Ready for a Tennis Paradise Breakthrough
Recent news
  • 09/11/2023 Coco Claims US Open Breakthrough, Djokovic Triumphs Once Again In New York
  • 08/31/2023 Sodexo Live! Named Hospitality Partner to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and BNP Paribas Open
  • 08/01/2023 “Race To Indian Wells” Champions Crowned: California Natives Earn 2024 Qualifying Wild Cards
  • 07/17/2023 Wimbledon Recap: Alcaraz Marks Changing Of The Guard With Signature Victory Over Djokovic, Vondrousova Makes History
  • 07/13/2023 Wimbledon Watch: Ons Jabeur Leads The Charge Heading Into Championship Weekend

Post navigation

Previous18 for ‘18: Talking Points for the #BNPPO18
NextSharapova Highlights Wednesday Action; Serena Williams, Azarenka Return Thursday Night
  • bnp logo
  • penn logo
  • fila logo
  • IW logo
  • emirates logo
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Partnerships
  • Sustainability
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • California Privacy Rights
© 2023 BNP Paribas Open a Desert Champions LLC Event
Close
Get the latest updates
Get the latest updates from Tennis Paradise
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Subscribe