It is the quarterfinal round at the WTA Miami Open. Two matches are in store on Tuesday as former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka gears up to face an in-form Danielle Collins. While Swiss Olympic Gold Medalist Belinda Bencic will be looking to put the brakes on Daria Saville’s historic run to the last eight. Who will prevail?
WTA Miami Open Quarterfinal Predictions
Belinda Bencic vs Daria Saville
Head-to-head: Bencic 1-2 Saville
Daria Saville clocked precisely three hours of tennis in her comeback win against Lucia Bronzetti. And as result, she became the lowest-ranked player to reach the quarterfinals in Miami Open history. However, this mesmeric run is unlikely to continue. Bencic may have a losing record against the Australian wildcard, but they haven’t played each other since 2015. Back then, the Swiss was still a teenager rising through the ranks. I think Saville could take a set with her fearsome shotmaking, but Bencic’s high-quality returning and her ability to absorb pace like a sponge should hold her in good stead.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Danielle Collins vs Naomi Osaka
Head-to-head: Collins 0-2 Osaka
This is officially Danielle Collins’ best start to a season. She has only lost one completed match in 2022. And that came against one of tennis’ best tacticians in Ashleigh Barty. The American rolled into the quarterfinals with a clinical performance against Ons Jabeur and is guaranteed to re-enter the world’s Top 10 next week. Osaka, meanwhile, recaptured her fluency and timing and hit the ball exceptionally well after a mammoth 10-minute service hold against Alison Riske. The unseeded Japanese won’t be able to get away by allowing her level to drop against Collins, who has a more formidable game than Riske. Osaka is the outright power player in this match, but any sort of tentativeness will be duly punished by the in-form Collins. The Florida native is a vastly experienced player these days and is approaching things more confidently.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
