Action heats up in Indian Wells as stronger players start to collide at the BNP Paribas Open.

Maria Sharapova is hardly a lock against Jie Zheng in the 3rd round at the BNP Paribas Open.  However Zheng will really need to represent herself well in order to beat Sharapova as the Chinese star hasn't played well since Melbourne earlier this year.

Sharapova and Zheng each had byes through the first round but in the second round it was Zheng that looked the stronger of the two as she dispatched of the young and talented Sorana Cirstea in straight sets.  Sharapova also won her match but she was pushed deep in her victory over Vera Dushevina, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

The odds for this match favor Sharapova as she has come in priced at -275 (11/4) with Boylesports.  Zheng's odds are a bit tempting as she is priced at +240 (12/5) with bet365 but we're going to recommend avoiding them.

Head to head these two players have only met one time and that was way back in 2003.  Sharapova defeated Zheng at the Japan Open in straight sets and they have not faced one another since.

Sharapova, a former world number 1, has clearly had the better career since 2003 but Zheng really came out of the blue at the Australian Open in January as she charged all the way to the semifinals and picked up a valuable 900 WTA tour ranking points. 

Since making the semis down under, however, Zheng has fallen flat on her face.

She lost to Justine Henin in the semis without a fight 6-1, 6-0 and then Zheng crashed out in the early rounds of Dubai and Kuala Lumpur against opponents ranked 171st and 92nd.  Sometimes after players make a deep run in a Slam, especially one that is unexpected, they relax, lose some of their intensity, and trail off for a bit.  The reason for that is that their ambition is satisfied for the time being and their energy is spent.

Zheng's victory over Cirstea was good to see but you can't feel too confident betting her to beat Sharapova here as the Russian star, still trying to return to top form, has a recent title on tour (WTA Memphis).  Even when you look at Zheng's recent success at the Aussie, despite making the semis, she never had to face an incredibly challenging opponent as Marion Bartoli was as tough as the road got before Justine Henin crushed Zheng.

Our recommendation is to take Sharapova to win this match at odds of -300 (1/3) and longer.

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