A blockbuster WTA encounter awaits in the opening round of the Miami Open. Former Grand Slam champions Angelique Kerber and Sloane Stephens are set to battle on the second day of the event. That contest is one of four predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT also predict the other WTA matches in Miami, including Karolina Pliskova vs Donna Vekic. But which players do you expect to triumph?
WTA Miami Day 2 Predictions
Martina Trevisan vs Storm Hunter
Head-to-head: Hunter 1-0 Trevisan
Hunter has not played many singles matches this year. Her successful doubles partnership with Katerina Siniakova has received more focus. However, one of her singles wins this year was in the qualifying of the Dubai Tennis Championships against Trevisan. Can the Australian triumph again? It is a tough one to call, but I will back Trevisan on this occasion. The conditions in Miami are a lot slower than in Dubai. This should the Italian more, but Trevisan has not been in great form so far in 2024 and another defeat here is certainly possible.
Prediction: Trevisan in 3
Ashlyn Krueger vs Nadia Podoroska
Head-to-head: Krueger 1-1 Podoroska
This is a repeat of the first-round in Indian Wells less than two weeks ago. Podoroska recovered to win that meeting 3-6 6-3 6-3. The Argentine extracted enough unforced errors from the American’s racket in the slow Indian Wells conditions, and Krueger will have a similar challenge in the sluggish Miami conditions. But a key difference is that the Miami Open courts bounce slightly less than in Indian Wells. That suits Podoroska less, whose favorite surface by far is clay, where the courts are higher-bouncing. That is what gives Krueger the edge in Miami.
Prediction: Krueger in 2
Sofia Kenin vs Katie Volynets
Head-to-head: Kenin 1-0 Volynets
At her best, Kenin has an ideal game to deal with Volynets’ gritty style. She moves very well and hits the ball bigger than Volynets, meaning she can combine playing longer points with unleashing at the right moment. However, the 2020 Australian Open champion has endured an awful start to the season, winning just one match since January. Volynets will also be feeling very confident after beating Mirra Andreeva and Ons Jabeur in Indian Wells and winning two matches in qualifying in Miami. A battle against a player like Volynets probably does not suit a struggling Kenin right now, as was the case for Jabeur in Indian Wells. Volynets to prevail.
Prediction: Volynets in 3
Angelique Kerber vs Sloane Stephens
Head-to-head: Stephens 5-2 Kerber
Hopefully, Kerber is okay physically for this match. She had to retire with a back issue against Caroline Wozniacki in Indian Wells after a terrific run to the fourth-round. Stephens suffered a frustrating loss to Daria Kasatkina in the second-round in Indian Wells after winning the opening set. The dominant head-to-head for Stephens is not very relevant, since the last of her wins was in 2018. But I am backing the former champion in Miami to triumph here. Stephens has played a lot of good tennis this year, but some dips in important moments have cost her. However, I think some of that good tennis in conditions that suit her will be enough against Kerber, who may find it difficult to immediately replicate her level from Indian Wells.
Prediction: Stephens in 2
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran – USA TODAY Sports
