By Tony Fairbairn
- Maria Sakkari [7] v Bianca Andreescu
- Andrey Rublev [6] v J.J. Wolf
- Belinda Bencic [9] v Leylah Fernandez
MIAMI, USA – Maria Sakkari and Belinda Bencic face stern Canadian tests as they bid to reach the third round of the Miami Open.
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Maria Sakkari [7] v Bianca Andreescu H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Maria Sakkari [7] v Bianca Andreescu | H2H: Tied at 1-1 |
| Miami Open 2023 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $30,885 |
| First on Stadium Court, at 12pm (4pm GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Maria Sakkari made it back-to-back Indian Wells semi-finals last week with the seventh seed having a much needed confidence boosting week in California. Sakkari hasn’t had it all her own way over the last year but the Greek certainly knows how to be resilient which has taken her to the world’s top ten. However Sakkari will know hope to start winning title on the WTA tour as she still struggles to beat the players above her in the rankings at the world’s biggest tournaments. Can the seventh seed change her fortunes at the Miami Open this week?
In order to do that Sakkari will have to defeat a former Grand Slam champion in the form of Bianca Andreescu. Andreescu defeated fellow US Open champion Emma Raducanu in a three set battle with the Canadian slowly starting to show some consistency in her game. At 22 years old, Andreescu is still looking to show what her potential has to offer as she looks to make strides towards being a consistent top ten player. Now Andreescu will look to impose her game on a top ten player and produce a statement win to kickstart her season.
Sakkari will look to use her serve and heavy forehand to dictate play as she looks to neutralise Andreescu’s quality returning. Meanwhile the Canadian will look to maintain a high level from the baseline and force Sakkari into uncomfortable positions setting up effective winners into the open space on the court. This should be a great battle between two intelligent players but Sakkari’s recent confidence should give her the slight edge in this exciting match-up.
Prediction: Sakkari in three sets.
Andrey Rublev [6] v J.J. Wolf H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Andrey Rublev [6] v J.J. Wolf | H2H: Rublev leads 1-0 |
| Miami Open 2023 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $30,885 |
| First on Grandstand at 11am (3pm GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
Andrey Rublev would have been disappointed with the manner of this fourth round defeat to Cameron Norrie after a good tournament in Dubai. Rublev is looking to maintain some consistency in the bigger events as he looks for a breakthrough run at a Grand Slam this season. Rublev’s power can be too strong for any player on the tour but the sixth seed’s lack of emotional stability can cost him in big moments. Now Rublev aims for more control on his performances as he aims for a deep run in Miami.
First up for Rublev is a difficult test against rising American star J.J. Wolf. Wolf has a big serve with a consistent baseline game which has taken him inside the world’s top 50 and the potential to be one of America’s brightest talents of his generation. Wolf will look to improve his recent form though as he looks to continue his rise up the rankings by producing a big statement win in Miami.
Rublev will need to serve to a high level and will look to use the angles as he looks to neutralise Wolf’s forehand. Meanwhile the American will look to use the kick serve to take Rublev’s power away as he looks to be aggressive and come to the net as much as possible. Expect the rallies to be short in this match as both players like to be aggressive and finish points early. This is a match that has upset written all over it if Wolf can maintain a consistent level as these are the types of rounds where Rublev is most vulnerable.
Prediction: Wolf in three sets.
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Belinda Bencic [9] v Leylah Fernandez H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Belinda Bencic [9] v Leylah Fernandez | H2H: Tied at 2-2 |
| Miami Open 2023 | Miami, USA |
| Hard (O) | Prize Money: $30,885 |
| Fifth on Court Butch Buchholz, not before 5pm (9pm GMT) | Amazon Prime Video <– Sign up for trial |
After an unstoppable start to the season, Belinda Bencic’s form has been inconsistent recently with the Swiss’ opening round defeat to Jil Teichmann posing questions about her ability to contend for the big titles. However Bencic won’t be panicking yet as overall her performances have been more stable and the world number nine will look to get back on track in faster conditions in Miami.
A tough opening match awaits Bencic as she takes on former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. The 20 year-old has been blighted by injuries since reaching the final in New York in 2021 and Fernandez will be hoping to regain some of her momentum back this season. The Canadian hasn’t had the best start to the year but will know that her form can turnaround with one good tournament as she looks to fulfil her potential and regain her confidence this year.
Bencic will look to regain her confidence from the baseline and nullify the Fernandez return with a consistent level on serve. While the Canadian will look to use variety and her on-court intelligence to make the Swiss think and force Bencic into erratic errors. Bencic’s level is slightly more consistent which gives her the advantage heading into a cracking second round contest in Miami.
Prediction: Bencic in three sets.
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