The WTA Miami Open’s second-round matches will begin on Day 3, with many big names in action. This article features world No.1, Aryna Sabalenka, who will take on Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But who will advance?
WTA Miami Day 3 Predictions
Magdalena Frech vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-Head: Frech 1-1 Ruse
Magdalena Frech has struggled to win matches this season and is on a four-match losing streak. Her recent level has not justified her ranking and she will be eager to break this losing streak and win some matches. Elena Gabriela Ruse was mentally tough to close out her first-round match after letting the lead slip in the second set. Ruse has had to fight hard in all three matches including qualifying and that can take a toll against a higher-ranked opponent. She will have chances against Frech if she can limit the errors but it’s a big if.
Prediction: Frech in 3
Donna Vekic vs Rebeka Masarova
Head-to-Head: Vekic 0-1 Masarova
Donna Vekic got some much-needed match wins in Indian Wells to get her season back on track. Vekic played at the level she displayed for much of the 2024 season and was extremely close to beating Madison Keys. The Croatian will hope to build on that and make another good run in Miami. Rebeka Masarova got her first tour-level win of the season against Greet Minnen in the first round. It was a high-quality match and Masarova did well behind her serve. If she plays like that against Vekic, she will make it competitive. However, Vekic is the superior player who has returned to form at the appropriate time.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Katerina Siniakova
Head-to-Head: Jabeur 2-3 Siniakova
Ons Jabeur will look to get back to winning ways as her good start to the season has been tainted by three consecutive losses. Jabeur managed to win only four games against Dayana Yastremska in Indian Wells and must improve her level to beat Katerina Siniakova. The Czechia player overcame Yue Yuan in the deciding set tiebreak in the first round. Siniakova has defeated Jabeur three times in the past but all those wins came before Jabeur became a top player. Jabeur has won the last two, and I believe she can make it three.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Viktoriya Tomova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
After the disappointment in Doha and Dubai, Aryna Sabalenka looked much better in Indian Wells and reached the final. She might be disappointed to not win the final but should be happy with her overall improvement in level and focus. Sabalenka will be looking to improve on her past performances at the Miami Open, one of the few tournaments where she has not achieved her desired outcome. Viktoriya Tomova did well to win her first-round match but doesn’t have the weapons to trouble the world No.1.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
