WTA Second-round action kicks off on the women’s side in Miami on Day 3. With 32 players eliminated, the seeds now enter the tournament. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will win?
WTA Miami Day 3 Predictions
Danielle Collins vs Anna Bondar
Head-to-head: first meeting
Collins had an incredible start to the year, reaching her first slam final at the Australian Open. The American had to retire with injury from her next match in Dubai though, which forced her out of Indian Wells. It’s a good first match back for Collins as Bondar’s attempts to establish herself on the main tour this year have been mediocre. The Hungarian’s best result on the year is a Lyon quarterfinal that consisted of a tough battle against qualifier Yuriko Miyazaki and a retirement from Katie Boulter. If Collins is fully fit, Bondar should be no match for her.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Kaia Kanepi
Head-to-head: Sorribes Tormo 1-0 Kanepi
Sorribes Tormo hasn’t had a great season with a 7-5 record but is yet to suffer a loss in her opener this year, coming off a third-round Indian Wells run where she beat Kaja Juvan and lost to her fellow Spaniard Paula Badosa. Kanepi is having a good year, reaching the Australian Open quarterfinals with wins over Angelique Kerber and Aryna Sabalenka. The 36-year-old also reached the third round in Indian Wells, taking out Robin Montgomery and Belinda Bencic before losing to Harriet Dart. Their previous meeting at Wimbledon 2018 was won by Sorribes Tormo and I expect her to win here again though Kanepi can certainly make it close.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Magda Linette vs Ons Jabeur
Head-to-head: Jabeur 2-1 Linette
After a shortened season last year, Linette is still struggling to win consistently, yet to win back-to-back matches this year. The 30-year-old defeated Qinwen Zheng in the first round in straight sets. Jabeur had a massive year in 2021, breaking into the Top 10. This year it hasn’t been as easy, reaching the quarterfinals at Sydney, Dubai, and Doha but struggling to break through that barrier. Last week, the 27-year-old went out to Daria Saville in the first round. Jabeur should be the winner here with Linette’s lack of form.
Prediction: Jabeur in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Karolina Muchova
Head-to-head: First Meeting
This should be a very interesting matchup. Fernandez isn’t quite at the heights that saw her reach the US Open final last year, but she’s still playing at a great level. Muchova, meanwhile, is making her way back from an extended injury absence, but she looks to be playing pretty well right now. This should be tight, but it’s safer to trust Fernandez right now.
Prediction: Fernandez in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
