The action comes thick and fast on the WTA Tour as the focus turns to the Miami Open. Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu is chasing her second win at the tournament after an inconsistent start to 2025. We predict all the first-round matches from the second and last leg of the Sunshine Swing. Who will reach the next round?
WTA Miami Day 1 Predictions
Erika Andreeva vs Elina Avanesyan
Head-to-head: Avanesyan 1-0 Andreeva
Erika Andreeva and Elina Avanesyan met at the same stage of this tournament last season. Avanesyan was the superior player then. She won a routine three-setter 6-0 3-6 6-1 and there is a high chance she’ll make light work of the older Andreeva sister in their rematch. The Armenian has spent the early phase of the season establishing herself in the Top 40 with a pair of semifinal finishes. Meanwhile, Andreeva has missed over a month of competitive tennis already and may lack match sharpness.
Prediction: Avanesyan in 2
Anastasia Potapova vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: Birrell 1-0 Potapova
Potapova is quietly having a good season but one of her five defeats was inflicted by Kimberly Birrell in Brisbane. The Australian has risen to inside the Top 70 for the first time after a series of strong results on home soil in the first two months of 2025. Although she’s had two successful qualifying campaigns in the Sunshine Swing, the physical toll leaves her heavily fatigued for the main draw. Potapova is likely to pounce.
Prediction: Potapova in 2
Katie Volynets vs Alexandra Eala
Head-to-head: first meeting
Volynets is on a three-match losing run. There are no concerns about lack of effort. The draws have been unkind to her. Five of her seven defeats are against Top 50 opponents. She is still among a handful of players to take a set from Mirra Andreeva since the start of February and stretched Elena Rybakina to three sets in Abu Dhabi. Eala is still waiting for a breakout run at the Tour level. A huge chunk of her success has come from the lower tiers. This will be her first WTA main draw appearance of the season. Volynets is better equipped to control proceedings here. She’s consistently tested herself against the best.
Prediction: Volynets in 2
Emma Raducanu vs Sayaka Ishii
Head-to-head: first meeting
Raducanu is having a difficult start to life in 2025. Results have been hard to come by with just three wins all season. She’s also been the subject of a frightening stalking incident that drove her to tears during the WTA 1000 in Dubai. The psychological damage combined with a spectacular performance from her opponent was enough to send her packing in the first round in Indian Wells. There is still an element of unpredictability in her game, but if she is over this hump she’s got a winnable match to get her season on the right track.
Prediction: Raducanu in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
