The Miami Open is well and truly underway. While the lack of crowds continues to be noticeable, it is still a treat having regular tennis back in our lives. The men’s side of the tournament has suffered from several big name withdrawals. However, the women’s field has had no such problems, with the very best the WTA Tour has to offer on show in the States this week. As ever, we try our best to call which of those stars should be moving on in our WTA Miami Open Day 2 predictions.
We also have predictions for the rest of the Day 2 matches, across four other articles. One features Sloane Stephens vs Oceane Dodin, the second headlines Kristina Mladenovic vs Danielle Collins, the third features Heather Watson vs Nina Stojanovic, and the fourth highlights Katerina Siniakova vs Ana Konjuh.
WTA Miami Open Day 2 Predictions
Anna Kalinskaya vs Irena-Camelia Begu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Begu is undoubtedly the better player of these two. However, Kalinskaya comes into the match with better form after a good showing in Monterrey. The young Russian has been showing signs of promise for quite some time now. If her tennis in Mexico is anything to go by, 2021 could well be her breakthrough year.
Begu will be a tough customer, but has been off her best for quite some time now. Pick Kalinskaya to advance here, but it could be close.
Prediction: Kalinskaya in 3
Tereza Martincova vs Yaroslava Shvedova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Shvedova continues her attempted return to the WTA Tour in Miami. The Russian native took time away from the game following surgery and childbirth. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because she is the only player in the open era to pull of a golden set in the main draw of a Major. She is in the main draw by virtue of a protected ranking and is yet to find her feet again since returning last year.
Unfortunately for Shvedova, she has drawn the in form Martincova in her first round clash. Martincova is looking more and more like she is ready to become a regular inside the top 100 on the women’s tour. The Czech has played good tennis in recent weeks, with a particularly strong showing in Dubai. Shvedova has the game to go deep in tournaments like this, but until she finds it again she will continue losing badly. I don’t think she finds it here, so take Martincova to advance.
Prediction: Martincova in 3
Hailey Baptiste vs Kristina Kucova
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kucova was the underdog in both of her qualifying matches. In round one she beat Yafan Wang, a player she had lost to in both of their previous meetings. She then beat former World #26 Anna Schmeidlova in straight sets to make the main draw in Miami. She now faces fellow qualifier Hailey Baptiste in her first round match.
Baptiste is a promising young talent, one of several in America at the moment. However, she has little experience at this level so far in her young career. She is yet to crack the Top 200 in the women’s game. That being said, she did beat top qualifying seed Misaki Doi to make the main draw. However, Kucova’s game seems to be firing on all cylinders at the moment. Both will feel this is a match they can win, but the Slovakian should edge this one.
Prediction: Kucova in 3
Fiona Ferro vs Saisai Zheng
Head-to-head: Ferro 1 – 0 Zheng
It says a lot about Ferro’s form in recent months that her semifinal loss in Lyon was a massive disappointment. The Frenchwoman has lost two third set tiebreakers on the bounce now. In both she saw her game disappear on her which is a worrying sign.
Fortunately for her I don’t think this one will go that far. Zheng is a tricky customer who tends to win by frustrating her opponents with shot variety. That works well with one-dimensional aggressive baseliners. However, Ferro has far more to her game than that. Her ability to construct points behind that lethal forehand of hers should prove to much for the awkward Chinese here.
Prediction: Ferro in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
