With the second round of the WTA Miami Open underway, there will be plenty of great matches on Day 4–especially with seeded players in action. Emma Navarro has enjoyed a great run on American hard courts and will be looking for another crowd-pleasing victory. Top players such as Daria Kasatkina and Carolina Garcia have outside shots at a deep run and will look to build momentum. The match of the day will likely be Naomi Osaka against Elina Svitolina which may be a semifinal matchup soon if each player can return to their prior form. An exciting day is in store with all matches predicted here at Last Word on Tennis.
WTA Miami Open Day 4 Predictions
Daria Kasatkina vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: 1-0 Kasatkina
The two players are facing off for the second time in 2024 after Kasatkina won in straight sets in Adelaide. Kasatkina has had a bit of an odd year, reaching two finals already but also losing in the first two rounds of three of the seven events she has entered. Liu has qualified for several events on the year already but has failed to have much success outside of qualifying. Liu does have some power which Kasatkina can be vulnerable against, but even with the crowd behind her she will not be able to get past Kasatkina who is simple a more skilled and complete player.
Prediction: Kasatkina in 2
Emma Navarro vs Storm Hunter
Head-to-head: first meeting
This looks like it could be a lopsided match. Navarro is playing great tennis right now in the midst of a breakout season. She won the Hobart title and is coming off a strong run to the quarterfinals at Indian Wells. Hunter has mostly focused on doubles while most of her singles play has been in qualifying. She did make a final in a 125k event earlier in the year though she did not face any player near Navarro’s caliber. Navarro will rely on her power to stay in control of the match and Hunter will not have the answers to keep up with the American.
Prediction: Navarro in 2
Caroline Garcia vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-head: 1-0 Garcia
This is a repeat matchup from the second round two weeks ago in Indian wells, won by Garcia in three sets. Tomova was able to break Garcia’s big serve twice but did not hold enough to stay in the match. Tomova will have to return well again to have a chance against Garcia, but Garcia’s serve makes her dangerous on hard courts. Garcia has not looked as sharp this year as she has in year’s past, but she certainly has the advantage over Tomova on a hard court. While it will not be easy, Garcia will again prevail in three.
Prediction: Garcia in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Elina Svitolina
Head-to-head: 3-3
This will certainly be one of the most exciting matches of the day. Osaka is continuing to round into form in her comeback, while Svitolina has shot back to the top of the game in her own comeback. Both mothers are looking to make serious noise at a WTA 1000 event to score a signature result as they both look to return to their previous levels. Svitolina is further along on her comeback and is the sharper player right now. Osaka will be dangerous with her power but she has yet to score that signature win against a player of Svitolina’s level. Svitolina will grind out points and force Osaka into mistakes which will be the difference in the match.
Prediction: Osaka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
