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Iga Swiatek in the third round of the 2023 US Open
Iga Swiatek in the third round of the 2023 US Open \ (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Tennis | WTA Miami 2024 | Women’s Draw Preview

Tony Fairbairn
Tennis

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Iga Swiatek searches for sunshine double as defending champion Petra Kvitova is absent
  • Top Seeds: Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina
  • British Interest: Katie Boulter [24], Emma Raducanu [WC]
MIAMI, USA – After winning the Indian Wells title, Iga Swiatek will look to win the sunshine double in Miami as the world number takes on a world-class field in Florida.

 

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[1] Iga Swiatek

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Best Result: Champion (2022)

After missing last year’s event, Swiatek will look to repeat her success from 2022 as the world number one looks to win the sunshine double.

Swiatek’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
  • R2: Magdalena Frech | H2H: Swiatek leads 1-0
  • R3: Linda Noskova [26] | H2H: Swiatek leads 2-1
  • R4: Ekaterina Alexandrova [14] | H2H: Swiatek leads 3-1
  • QF: Jessica Pegula [5] | H2H: Swiatek leads 6-3
  • SF: Coco Gauff [3] | H2H: Swiatek leads 9-1
  • F: Aryna Sabalenka [2] | H2H: Swiatek leads 6-3

The world number one’s projected run in Miami isn’t too dissimilar to the one at Indian Wells with the Pole looking to face Linda Noskova for the third time this season. A potential fourth round clash with Ekaterina Alexandrova or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova could await in the last 16 before a quarter-final match with an out-of-sorts Jessica Pegula. Overall Swiatek has a favourable draw in her mission to win a second title in Miami and should Swiatek complete the sunshine double then it would confirm her status as the best player in the world right now.

 

[2] Aryna Sabalenka

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Best Results: Quarter-Final (2021, 2023)

Sabalenka is yet to find her form since winning a second consecutive Australian Open title and now the world number two heads to a tournament that she is yet to reach the semi-finals in.

Sabalenka’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
  • R2: Paula Badosa | H2H: Tied at 2-2
  • R3: Anhelina Kalinina [32] | H2H: First Meeting
  • R4: Liudmila Samsonova [13] | H2H: Samsonova leads 2-1
  • QF: Qinwen Zheng [7] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 2-0
  • SF: Elena Rybakina [4] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 5-3
  • F: Iga Swiatek [1] | H2H: Swiatek leads 6-3

A blockbuster opening round against good friend Paula Badosa or the returning Simona Halep awaits for Sabalenka in a very tricky opening round. A potentially tricky against Caroline Wozniacki could await in what is an opportunistic quarter of the draw for everyone involved. A semi-final against Rybakina or Indian Wells finalist Maria Sakkari could await should Sabalenka make it which at this stage looks unlikely given Sabalenka’s current form. The world number two will look for momentum heading into the clay court season in Miami but given her past performances in Florida and a tough first match that prospect looks unlikely.

 

 

[3] Coco Gauff

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Best Result: Fourth Round (2022)

Gauff’s unbeaten streak on home soil came to an end at Indian Wells as the American will now aim to bounce back in Miami.

Gauff’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
  • R2: Ashlyn Krueger | H2H: First Meeting
  • R3: Marta Kostyuk [29] | H2H: Gauff leads 2-0
  • R4: Elina Svitolina [15] | H2H: Tied at 1-1
  • QF: Ons Jabeur [6] | H2H: Gauff leads 4-2
  • SF: Iga Swiatek [1] | H2H: Swiatek leads 9-1
  • F: Aryna Sabalenka [2] | H2H: Gauff leads 4-3

Gauff’s most dangerous early obstacle is against 29th seed Marta Kostyuk in the third round who reached the semi-finals at Indian Wells last week. In the last 16 one of Elina Svitolina, Naomi Osaka or Caroline Garcia could await before a potential quarter-final meeting with an out-of-sorts Ons Jabeur. Overall Gauff should reach the semi-finals in Miami although the American hasn’t had the best performances in Miami in recent years.

 

[4]  Elena Rybakina

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Best Result: Final (2023)   

Rybakina will look to better her performance from last year after failing to compete at Indian Wells last week.

Rybakina’s Path to the Final (Ranking/Seeding)

  • R1: BYE | H2H: N/A
  • R2: Caroline Dolehide | H2H: First Meeting
  • R3: Elise Mertens [25] | H2H: Rybakina leads 4-1
  • R4: Veronika Kudermetova [16] | H2H: Rybakina leads 3-0
  • QF: Maria Sakkari [8] | H2H: Rybakina leads 2-1
  • SF: Aryna Sabalenka [2] | H2H: Sabalenka leads 5-3
  • F: Iga Swiatek [1] | H2H: Rybakina leads 3-2

Rybakina has a favourable start to the tournament but should be aware of big hitters such as Madison Keys, Jelena Ostapenko and Veronika Kudermetova. The Kazakh could face an in-form Sakkari in the last eight before renewing her rivalry with Sabalenka and Swiatek. Should Rybakina be fully fit then she should be the best placed to win the tournament in terms of the draw but doubts over her fitness means that expectations will be low in Florida.

Miami starts on Tuesday 19th March and concludes on Sunday 31st March.

 

 

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