Despite the withdrawal of Iga Swiatek and early exits from high seeds Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia, the third-round lineup of WTA Miami is still impressive. As always, we here at LWOT will preview and predict every match. Who do you think will make the last 16?
WTA Miami Day 5 Predictions
Jelena Ostapenko vs Beatriz Haddad Maia
Head-to-head: Ostapenko 3-0 Haddad Maia
The 2018 finalist has not made it past the third round since in Miami. Ostapenko is yet to follow up on her Australian Open quarterfinals run this season but has taken sets in her last three losses to Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka, and Petra Kvitova. In her Miami opener, the Latvian dispatched Mirjam Bjorklund in straight sets. Haddad Maia, who has never made it past the third round here, advanced despite getting bageled by Tereza Martincova, winning 7-6 0-6 6-0. Ostapenko has won all three of their previous meetings including their Cincinnati clash last year. I expect the Latvian to win out again.
Prediction: Ostapenko in 2
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Liudmila Samsonova vs Zheng Qinwen
Head-to-head: Samsonova 2-1 Zheng
This is the third time Samsonova and Zheng have been drawn against each other in the past two months. The Russian won their semifinal bout in Abu Dhabi before Zheng withdrew from their Dubai second round. After that, Samsonova won just one game against Iga Swiatek before losing her Indian Wells opener to Bernarda Pera. The 24-year-old set the record straight with a 6-1 6-1 win over Viktorija Golubic. In her first match since the Dubai withdrawal, Zheng came back from a set down to beat Irina-Camelia Begu in her Miami opener. The 20-year-old will provide an interesting challenge but Samsonova should edge it.
Prediction: Samsonova in 3
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Magda Linette vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: Azarenka 2-0 Linette
Battle of two Australian Open semifinalists, neither of which has managed to really follow up that success. Linette came into Miami with a three-match losing streak but managed to turn things around with a win over Evgeniya Rodina. Azarenka, a three-time Miami champion, also lost her opener in Indian Wells. The 33-year-old dropped just four games in her win over Camila Giorgi. Azarenka has also won both of their previous meetings, including at Miami in 2016. Azarenka is the favorite here.
Prediction: Azarenka in 2
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Coco Gauff vs Anastasia Potapova
Head-to-head: Gauff 2-0 Potapova
With a 15-4 record in 2023, Gauff has mostly played to her ranking this season albeit without reaching a big final or a signature win. The 18-year-old took out Rebecca Marino in her opener. Potapova got her second WTA title in Linz this season and is looking for her first back-to-back wins since, though she did push Jessica Pegula to 7-5 in the third last week and allowed Marta Kostyuk just four games in her Miami opener. This should actually be a pretty even match and I expect Potapova to push Gauff all the way.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
