Serena Williams could face Venus in Indian Wells third round

Serena Williams will take on Kazakhstan’s Zarina Diyas in the first round at Indian Wells in what marks her first tournament outing in more than a year.

Should the unseeded American get past Diyas, 29th seed Kiki Bertens awaits before a projected third-round meeting against Venus Williams, the No.8 seed.

It would be the 29th career meeting between the sisters, 20 years after their first, which came at Australian Open 1998.

Serena Williams’ projected path to the #BNPPO18 ????
1R – Diyas
2R – Bertens
3R – V. Williams
4R – Goerges
QF – Svitolina
SF – Wozniacki
F – Halep (Muguruza)

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 5, 2018

Serena, who is unranked after 14 months out, gave birth to her first child, Alexis Olympia, in September and has not played a tournament since her victory at Australian Open 2017.

Her only official competitive outing since then was in a dead doubles rubber in the United States’ Fed Cup tie against Netherlands last month.

“She is the one person you never want to underestimate,” said Lindsay Davenport at Monday’s draw ceremony.

“Her whole story has been amazing. She’s a leader for all women around the world, not just for athletes but for everyone.

“We’ll see if she’s really ready to play – I would imagine she is. If she has her name in the draw she will think she can win the tournament. There’s nobody in the draw who wants to face her.”

> VIDEO: Kasatkina teaches Osaka the ‘tweener’

In the opposite half of the draw, unseeded Maria Sharapova takes on Naomi Osaka for a shot at No.31 seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Victoria Azarenka, also unseeded and playing in her first tournament in eight months, faces Britain’s Heather Watson in round one.

“You never know what to expect from a player after an extended break,” Davenport said of Azarenka, who if victorious would face Sloane Stephens in the second round.

“I was watching her practise the other day and she looked amazing. She’s so excited to be back. I think you’re going to see some emotion from her was well. I think this is going to be a pretty big moment for her.”

> RELATED: Azarenka thrilled to be back at Indian Wells

Serena, Sharapova and Azarenka are all multiple Grand Slam champions and former world No.1s who have combined for six titles at Indian Wells.

Heading the draw is world No.1 Simona Halep, who faces a potential quarterfinal meeting against Jelena Ostapenko in what would be a rematch of their scintillating French Open final of 2017.

Projected quarterfinals @BNPPARIBASOPEN :
Halep-Ostapenko
Muguruza-Pliskova
—-
Wozniacki-Garcia
Svitolina-Venus

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) March 5, 2018

At the bottom of the draw, reigning Australian Open champion and second seed Caroline Wozniacki could face last week’s Acapulco champion Lesia Tsurenko in the second round, after a first-round bye.

A meeting in the last 16 with US Open champion Sloane Stephens looms, while also lurking in the bottom quarter with Wozniacki are former world No.1 Angelique Kerber, defending champion Elena Vesnina and No.7 seed Caroline Garcia.

Reigning Wimbledon champion and third seed Garbine Muguruza is in the top half and heads the loaded section containing Sharapova, Osaka and Radwanska.

Muguruza could face any of those players in the third round, and is projected to meet wildcard Eugenie Bouchard in round two.

Fourth seed Elina Svitolina heads the quarter of the draw containing Serena and Venus Williams.

???? Draw Women's Singles / Bottom Half #BNPPO18 / WTA Indian Wells pic.twitter.com/PQn2tWh2Wa

— Ubitennis (@Ubitennis) March 5, 2018