The WTA Miami Open starts heating up on Day 3 with second round matches and several seeds in action. Petra Martic, Liudmila Samsonova, and Anastasia Potapova are all seeded players playing their first match of the event on Day 3. It should be another exciting day at the third WTA 1000 event of the year and all matches are previewed here at Last Word on Tennis.
Editor’s note: Iga Swiatek was scheduled to play before pulling out and being replaced by Julia Grabher, opening up a good opportunity for her and her opponent, American Claire Liu. We have predictions both for the initial match (which will not be played) and the new one.
WTA Miami Day 3 Predictions
Petra Martic vs Xiyu Wang
Head-to-head: 1-0 Wang
They are playing for the first time since 2020, when a teenage Wang pulled off the upset over Martic in Hua Hin. Wang has plenty of talent but has struggled getting over the hump and beating top players. Martic is a veteran who plays with power and has been a mainstay in the Top 50 of the WTA rankings. Wang has had a touch year with just a 2-6 record but has been playing better of late. Martic has had the better year but is coming into Miami on a three match losing streak. Faster courts on top of the height of each player should see power on power with serving being the key decider of the match. Martic is more experienced and better overall so she will have the advantage, though Wang will not go down easily.
Prediction: Martic in 3
Liudmila Samsonova vs Viktoriya Golubic
Head-to-head: 1-0 Golubic
Samsonova is riding a breakout 2022 season taking her into the Top 15 for the first time, where she currently sits. Golubic won their one prior meeting in 2019 though that was closer to her prime and before Samsonova established herself on the main tour. Golubic recently turned 30 and had a challenging start to the year, losing her first six main draw matches before her first-round win in Miami. Samsonova has had mixed results so far this year but showed her potential with a final in Abu Dhabi. Samsonva has a lot more all-around talent than Golubic who also does not seem to be in top form at all. This one should be all Samsonova.
Prediction: Samsonova in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: First meeting
This should be the most exciting match of the day featuring two talented young players on the rise on the WTA Tour. They have both won a recent title, with Potapova hoisting the trophy in Linz and Kostyuk winning the inaugural Austin event. Potapova has power and is suited for these faster courts, with a 7-1 record already in 2023 on fast indoor hard courts. Kostyuk will be able to defend well but will have trouble handling Potapova’s skillset. While she has put together a good year, she has struggled in matches against higher-ranked players. Potapova has a bit more experience at this level as well as more tools, so as long as she limits mistakes she will take the match.
Prediction: Potapova in 3
Iga Swiatek vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: 2-0 Swiatek
This is their first meeting since Indian Wells last year where Swiatek won by losing just one game all match. While Swiatek has looked a bit more human this year, she has still dominated most of her matches. Her four losses have all been to top-10 players who hit with power. Unfortunately, Liu is not quite at that level and does not play power tennis. She has captured some good wins this year but has struggled some at tour-level and will not have enough to compete with Swiatek’s pure, all-around game. This is a great matchup for Swiatek who will run Liu around the court and consistently hit through her to win easily.
Prediction: Swiatek in 2
Julia Grabher vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: First meeting
Grabher replaced Swiatek as a Lucky Loser after losing her final-round qualifying match to Tereza Martincova. She will hope to make the most of her main draw appearance after spending most of her career to this point at the ITF level. She has had good results in ITF events this year, but is just 1-6 in tour events. Liu is a young player who has recently established herself as a main draw regular, aided by qualifying already for two events in 2023. She is hoping to build on her good fortune after advancing due to Siniakova retiring from their first round match after winning the first set. Liu has more experience and has the benefit of some extra preparation with Grabher a late entry into the draw, and her defensive game will force the Austrian into errors and lead her into the third round.
Prediction: Liu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
