The Miami Open round of 16 has arrived and the slate of matches promises a great deal. So far, this tournament has already provided a number of nail-biting three setters and the drama looks likely to continue as the remaining women battle for a spot in the quarterfinals at this Premier Mandatory event. But who will secure their place in the last eight and who will fall by the wayside?
Anett Kontaveit vs Bianca Andreescu
Head-to-head: first meeting
Anett Kontaveit earned her place in the round of 16 with two hard-fought victories. Indeed, the 23-year-old needed nearly two and a half hours on court to see of the challenge of Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, who impressed in upsetting ninth seed Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 64, 7-6 2-6 7-6 in the third round. But though she may be running slightly short of energy, she will bring a powerful forehand and great tennis IQ to challenge the red-hot Bianca Andreescu, surely a superstar in the making.
Backed by her variety and power, as well as plenty of guile, the young Canadian is on some roll. After winning in Indian Wells, she has continued to fire on all cylinders at the Miami Open, earning another win over Angelique Kerber, who she beat in the final in California, in the third round. But is the physical toll of so much tennis starting to tell? Calling for the trainer multiple times, as she did against Kerber, seems certain to frustrate her opponents and, as a result, Kerber’s ‘Drama Queen’ insult could end up being a recurring barb. Andreescu’s frequent use of medical treatments must be cause for concern. That said, she’s fought through fatigue and pain before. Don’t expect it to stop her just yet.
Prediction: Andreescu in three
Embed from Getty Images
Hsieh Su-wei vs Caroline Wozniacki
Head-to-head: Hsieh 0-4 Wozniacki
If the giant-killing Hsieh Su-wei, who has already accounted for world #1 Naomi Osaka this week, has her way, she’ll be moving on to the quarterfinals. Don’t doubt that she has sufficient skill to get there, even if her head-to-head against Wozniacki, who is yet to a drop set in the Sunshine State, doesn’t look favourable. Wozniacki doesn’t have the sort of power needed to deny Hsieh’s court position, by pinning her behind the baseline.
Nor does the Dane have a weapon in her serve. Even when it’s at its best, the Wozniacki serve is vulnerable in the extreme to skilled returners and Hsieh certainly won’t fear her prowess from the line. It will also be hard for Wozniacki to build up any sort of rhythm against the unpredictable Hsieh. It seems more likely than not, then, that Hseih will win a spot in her first quarterfinal at Premier Mandatory level.
Prediction: Hsieh in two
Embed from Getty Images
Ashleigh Barty vs Kiki Bertens
Head-to-head: Barty 3-0 Bertens
Kiki Bertens has looked mightily impressive so far in Miami, barring the odd loss of concentration. She was taken the distance by Viktoria Kuzmova, the same player who eliminated her in Doha, in the third round. But having lost the first set, the Dutch superstar was not slow to turn things around, winning 12 of the last 13 games to complete a 3-6 6-0 6-1 win.
Bertens may, however, find the competition much steeper against the in-form Ashleigh Barty. So far this week, Barty has proven far too hot to handle for the rising star Dayana Yastremska as well as her countrywoman Sam Stosur, who she crushed for the loss of just three games. The Aussie, whose aggressive, cultured game ensures she is always a tricky foe, is playing the best tennis of her career and should soon join Bertens in the Top 10 – most likely fuelled by a win over the World #8.
Prediction: Barty in two
Embed from Getty Images
Petra Kvitova vs Caroline Garcia
Head-to-head: Kvitova 3-3 Garcia
With a solid first serve percentage, which has helped her save every break point she has faced so far at the Miami Open, Caroline Garcia looks poised to move on to the quarterfinals. Perhaps her best decision was to quit playing doubles to give a singular focus to her singles game. So far, it’s paid off handsomely. But Petra Kvitova may yet prove an insurmountable obstacle.
The Czech has quietly been one of the form players on tour so far this season, even if she has suffered some setbacks in recent weeks. She also hasn’t found things entirely straightforward so far this week and had to be at her very best to see off Donna Vekic in three, 6-4 3-6 6-4. And it seems more than likely that she will be taken the distance again in this one. But, if the lefty serve is working, Kvitova should have enough to send Garcia packing, just.
Prediction: Kvitova in three
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
