The party at the WTA Miami Gardens enters the second day, and the matches are coming in thick and fast. Three of the matches will see players meet for the first time, with 2022 runner-up Naomi Osaka bidding to go one better. As always, we at LWOT preview and offer predictions for all Day 2 matches. Who do you think will advance?
WTA Miami Day 2 Predictions
Magdalena Frech vs Camila Giorgi
Head–to–Head: Frech 1 vs 0 Giorgi
Both players arrive in Miami in shabby form, with Camila Giorgi only being able to muster a solitary win all season and Magdalena Frech without a victory in the last three matches. However, this appears to be the perfect opportunity for Frech to get back to winning ways and maintain a 100% record over her opponent. Tellingly, Frech has an impressive win record over lower-ranked players, and considering Giorgi’s stats on hardcourts aren’t as impressive, expect the Pole to get the job done swiftly.
Prediction: Frech in 2
Varvara Gracheva vs Maria Timofeeva
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
Maria Timofeeva conceded just three games in each of her qualifiers to enter the main draw for the first time, certainly brimming with confidence. It even gets better as she’s up against an opponent who hasn’t won a set in six matches and the signs look ominous for Varvara Gracheva. Any outcome other than a win for the young Russian will be unexpected.
Prediction: Timofeeva in 2
Tatjana Maria vs Emiliana Arango
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
This appears to be a straightforward win for Tatjana Maria but Emiliana Arango is capable of pulling a rabbit out of the hat like she did during her brilliant quarterfinal run on the hardcourts of Guadalajara last year when she cruised past Anastasia Potapova, Taylor Towsend and Sloan Stephens. If she can replicate the resilience she displayed in the qualifiers, she can take this match to the German. It’s one of those games where nicking a set will trigger enough motivation to get over the line.
Prediction: Arango in 3.
Naomi Osaka vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto
Head–to–Head: First Meeting
This is an interesting matchup given Osaka’s pedigree and Cocciaretto’s current form. The young Italian will have to raise her game from the Challenger level where she won the title in Charleston a few days ago to stand any chance of staying in the match against the former world #1. Osaka is beginning to find her rhythm after a shaky start to the season and she should bag a dominant win in their first meeting.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – USA TODAY Sports
