The first day of main draw play was entirely rained out in Miami. We have predictions for those matches as well, plus four more matches from the Day 2 schedul.
Bianca Andreescu will seeks to use her Indian Wells momentum against Romanian opponent Irina-Camilia Begu in the first round. This is one of the must see matches on day 2. The first match after a great triumph can often blindside a players. Andreescu now needs to show she can transition from hunter to hunted, especially as she faces a potential re-match with Kerber in Round 3. Here are some predictions from the standout Round 1 matches of the day:
WTA Miami Day 2 Predictions
Ons Jabeur vs Alison Van Uytvanck
No history
The Tunisian world #58 is on her way back after an injury setback forced her withdrawal from Dubia mid-match against Elina Svitolina. She looked lethargic and unsure of herself in a qualifying defeat to Misaka Doi in Indian Wells last week. Jabeur is exciting to watch and a match for anyone on her day on quick hard-courts. Van Uytvanck’s sharpness and fitness will prevail in this one, though.
Prediction: Van Uytvanck in 2
Sara Sorribes Tormo vs Aleksandra Krunic
Head-to-Head: Sara Sorribes Tormo 1-3 Aleksandra Krunic
Serbia’s world #60 Aleksandra Krunic definitely falls into the “could do better for a player of her talent” category, on this season’s evidence. The fiery groundstrokes seem to be lacking the potency of last season, when she reached a career high of #39. All previous meetings have been on clay, but a surface switch shouldn’t stop Krunic extending the head-to-head supremacy.
Prediction: Krunic in 2
Vera Lapko vs Alize Cornet
No history
The 20-year-old Belorussian looked like she’d be hot on compatriot Aryna Sabalenka’s heels, at times, last season. Her form has leveled out of late. Lapko comes into this contest on the back of a six-match losing streak. Cornet is on a three-match streak also, so one of these will receive a form boost. Cornet looked lethargic and out of ideas in her most recent loss to the promising Sofya Zhuk – picking up a mere three games. Lapko could edge this.
Prediction: Lapko in 2
Bianca Andreescu vs Irina-Camelia-Begu
Head to head: Andreescu 1-1 Begu
It could all have been so different last week had Begu shown more composure at key points in her tight three-sets defeat to Andreescu. Begu has pedigree in Miami, making the 4th round in 2016 with her hanging baseline style. The Romanian will need to find her deep hitting groove that has abandoned her largely this season. It returned, at times, against Andreescu last week, and was the opponent most adept at quelling that dangerous drop shot of the Canadian’s. Begu comes into the tournament 0-3 in terms of recent form. Both previous matches have gone the distance and this one should as well. Andreescu’s confidence alone should be enough to see this one out.
Prediction: Andreescu in 3
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
