There is a very busy second day of action at the Miami Open. This includes several WTA matches, with two-time Grand Slam runner-up Karolina Pliskova one of those set to feature. Her match is one of four predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT also predict the other WTA contests taking place, including Sloane Stephens vs Angelique Kerber. But which players do you think will win on Day 2 at WTA Miami?
WTA Miami Day 2 Predictions
Arantxa Rus vs Sara Sorribes Tormo
Head-to-head: Rus 1-1 Sorribes Tormo
Both players come into this match after first-round exits in Indian Wells. Rus fell to German veteran Tatjana Maria, while Sorribes Tormo was thrashed by her regular doubles partner Marie Bouzkova. But I think the Spaniard will respond with a victory here. Although Rus is capable of hitting through the slow Miami conditions, Sorribes Tormo’s gritty style in those conditions will also extract many unforced errors from the Dutchwoman’s racket.
Prediction: Sorribes Tormo in 3
Petra Martic vs Claire Liu
Head-to-head: Martic 1-0 Liu
Martic lost to Angelique Kerber in the opening round in Indian Wells, while Liu lost in the qualifying stage of the event. However, the American beat two seeded players in the Miami Open qualifying to set up this main-draw meeting. Martic has not been in great form since opening the season with a quarterfinal appearance in Auckland. This feels like a good opportunity for Liu, who also reached the third round in Miami last year, which is her best run at WTA 1000 level. The lower-ranked Liu to triumph.
Prediction: Liu in 3
Danielle Collins vs Bernarda Pera
Head-to-head: First meeting
Collins’ comprehensive loss to the eventual champion Iga Swiatek in Indian Wells was a rare off-day in 2024 for her. In her final season on the WTA Tour, she has played at a very high level. The 2022 Australian Open runner-up has beaten Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka and came close to beating Swiatek at the Australian Open and last year’s runner-up in Melbourne Elena Rybakina in Abu Dhabi. Her compatriot Pera is in good form and came through qualifying in Miami, but I expect Collins to win. Pera plays her best tennis on clay but Collins should be able to hit her way to victory on a hard court.
Prediction: Collins in 2
Karolina Pliskova vs Donna Vekic
Head-to-head: Pliskova 7-2 Vekic
Pliskova has come back to reality after an amazing run. She had won nine matches in a row (excluding a walkover for Iga Swiatek in Doha) but has now lost twice in a row to US Open champion Coco Gauff and Anna Blinkova. Vekic, who beat Aryna Sabalenka a few weeks ago in Dubai, has played well this season. She was unlucky to run into Katie Boulter and Caroline Wozniacki when both were in top form in her last two matches. The overall head-to-head is lopsided but Pliskova only leads 3-2 on outdoor hard courts. After her initial terrific run, Pliskova may be burning out a little in the final stages of the hard court season. Vekic to improve her head-to-head against the former Wimbledon runner-up.
Prediction: Vekic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
