Jessica Pegula in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open, Melbourne
Jessica Pegula in the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open, Melbourne | (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Tennis | Miami Open 2023 | Pegula and Rybakina face stern third round tests, Hurkacz begins against Kokkinakis

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Jessica Pegula [3] v Danielle Collins [10]
  • Hubert Hurkacz [8] v Thanasi Kokkinakis [LL]
  • Elena Rybakina [10] v Paula Badosa [21]
MIAMI, USA – Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina face third round tests at the Miami Open as Hubert Hurkacz begins his campaign against Thanasi Kokkinakis.

 

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Jessica Pegula [3] v Danielle Collins [10] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Jessica Pegula [3] v Danielle Collins [10] H2H: Pegula leads 3-0
Miami Open 2023 Miami, USA
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Jessica Pegula overcame her disappointing defeat against Petra Kvitova at Indian Wells with a dominant display over Katherine Sebov to reach the third round. Pegula will be looking to reach the latter stages of Miami and with the absence of Iga Swiatek, the American will be hoping she can take advantage and win a big title. Pegula is known for her consistency on the tour but will now be keen to go one step further and compete for some of the biggest titles on the tour.

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Pegula’s bid to become a reliable force for trophies must first go through Danielle Collins this week. After an early exit at Indian Wells, Collins will have been relieved to get through Viktoriya Tomova in straight sets as the former Australian Open finalist aims for some much needed form heading into the clay court season. Collins hasn’t made the best start to the season but the feisty American will know that her best tennis is around the corner and will look to take a step closer to producing that this week in Miami.

Pegula will look to dictate play with her serve and use her defensive skills from the baseline to neutralise Collins’ aggression. Meanwhile Collins will look to produce a high quality on returns to test the American’s quality of tennis on pressure points. This will be a good match in the opening stages but Pegula should have enough to move through the gears and cruise to the last 16.

Prediction: Pegula in straight sets.

 

Hubert Hurkacz [8] v Thanasi Kokkinakis [LL]  H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Hubert Hurkacz [8] v Thanasi Kokkinakis [LL] H2H: First Meeting
Miami Open 2023 Miami, USA
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Hubert Hurkacz has had some tough losses this season and the Pole’s defeat to Tommy Paul at Indian Wells was another one of those painful defeats. However Hurkacz now returns to one of his favourite tournaments of the season as he looks for a deep run and a chance to relive his success in Miami in 2021. A good tournament in Miami for Hurkacz could send a big statement that he is ready to compete for big titles as he looks for a higher level of consistency this season.

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Next for Hurkacz is Thanasi Kokkinakis after the Australian saved three match points in his last set tiebreak victory over Zizou Bergs. The Australian is looking to climb back up into the world’s top 50 having suffered from injuries over the last few years. Kokkinakis has the serve, the power from the baseline and the net skills to trouble any opponent and is now looking for consistency to back up his promising potential.

Hurkacz will look to use his backhand to counter-attack Kokkinakis’ power from the baseline with both players having strong serves. Both players will also look to finish points off at the net so some short rallies could be seen in this entertaining contest. In the end Hurkacz’s higher level of consistency and clinical finishing on break points should see him overcome a tricky early test.

Prediction: Hurkacz in straight sets.

 

 

Elena Rybakina [10] v Paula Badosa [21]  H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Elena Rybakina [10] v Paula Badosa [21] H2H: Badosa leads 4-2
Miami Open 2023 Miami, USA
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Second night match on Stadium, not before 8:30pm (12:30am GMT, Sunday) Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial

Elena Rybakina proved in Indian Wells that when her game is on form, she is unstoppable after sealing the title in California. However a tough opening round win over Anna Kalinskaya in Miami means that consistency at the highest level won’t be an easy task as Rybakina looks to continue her fine form this week. Ahead of the clay court swing, Rybakina will look to ensure that she keeps the momentum and remains one of the players to beat.

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Next for Rybakina is an Indian Wells rematch with Spaniard Paula Badosa who overcame a drama-filled match with Laura Siegemund to progress into the third round. Badosa has shown inconsistent and underwhelming form over the last year but the 21st seed is hoping that changes ahead of her favourite time of year in Europe. A consistent yet powerful baseline game, Badosa will look to achieve a statement win as she looks to continue her resurgence up the rankings.

Rybakina will look to continue to serve to a high level as well as produce flawless power from the baseline. Meanwhile Badosa will look to develop her defensive skills as she looks to turn defence into attack and finish point off early. This will be an interesting test to see if Badosa can play better than she did last week but Rybakina should be too strong as her confidence will see her through to the fourth round.

Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.

 

 

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