Ajla Tomljanovic vs Caty McNally Prediction, Picks, Odds, H2H, Stats - 3/6/25

Ajla Tomljanovic slid into the main draw from qualifying at Indian Wells, and the Aussie will face American Caty McNally in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday.

Tomljanovic was set to face Zeynep Sonmez in the final qualifying stage to reach the main draw, but the Turk could not give it a go, sending the Australian native into the main draw with a walkover.

McNally received a protected ranking entry into the field and arrives as the underdog in the first round against Tomljanovic.

EJ Garr’s prediction for Ajla Tomljanovic vs. Caty McNally calls for the Aussie to advance. Check out the tip below with odds at -110.

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Ajla Tomljanovic vs Caty McNally WTA BNP Paribas Open Prediction: First Round Battle At Indian Wells

• Prediction: Match Total Over 2.5 Sets
• Best Odds: +150
• Bookmaker: Pinnacle
• Stakes: 3/10

Odds as of 7:00 am UK Time on March 6, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Ajla Tomljanovic has odds of close to -200 to get past American Caty McNally, and the Croatian native who now represents Australia has my full attention.

NcNally is using her protected ranking for the second time this season after the Australian Open entry, and we know how that worked out. Varvara Gracheva sent the American packing from the first Major Tournament of the campaign, so it’s try, try again today for McNally!

Tomljanovic and McNally are each 180cm tall, which is useful when approaching the net to steal points. 

The last time I had a preview for McNally on the site, she withdrew from her match with McCartney Kessler so she never made that appearance. Her last appearance on the court was in Spring, Texas, and the American won three games before losing to Iva Jovic in the semifinal.

I am putting a couple of plays on the board for this first-round clash. You all have the Over 2.5 Sets at +150, but I don’t have the confidence in McNally to steal a win from Tomljanovic, so the -2.5 with the Aussie will be an additional bet on the board.

With that action, it’s time for the big reveal. When Tomljanovic wins this match in three sets, the +305 on the 2 – 1 Correct Score will follow suit. That’s some extreme value, but that’s why we make the big calls around here.

We’re going the distance, and Tomljanovic will advance to the second round to face Liudmila Samsonova in the second round.

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC RECENT FORM

Ajla Tomljanovic started the week ranked 94th on the WTA Tour, and has a 5 – 4 record to begin the 2025 campaign.

Tomljanovic went 20 – 20 last season, and played 10 matches in 2023. She went 5 – 0 in her only clay tournament that season to win the Florianopolis Challenger title.

CATY MCNALLY RECENT FORM

Caty McNally is 3 – 3 this season, and it has been a long three years for the American native.

McNally produced an 8 – 5 2024 campaign, but went 5 – 0 on the grass to win the WTA50 ITF title in Tampa, Florida.

The former World’s #93 started the week ranked 491st, but if she can stay healthy in 2025, the American can improve on that.

TOMLJANOVIC VS MCNALLY HTH –  STAT OF THE MATCH

Caty McNally defeated Ajla Tomljanovic at the World Team Tennis event during the 2020 campaign. It only took one set to decide the victor of that event.

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