The fourth day of WTA action in Miami includes a battle of the Grand Slam finalists between Karolina Muchova and Victoria Azarenka. Rising American star McCartney Kessler will also be in action. As always, we here at LWOT predict all the WTA action in our articles, but which players do you expect to win?
WTA Miami Day 4 Predictions
Clara Tauson vs Julia Grabher
Head-to-head: Tauson 3-0 Grabher
Grabher has struggled with the weight of Tauson’s hitting in their previous meetings. The Dane has improved further since their last match, leading to her winning a maiden WTA title at the 2025 ASB Classic in Auckland. If Tauson is near her best, she will beat Grabher for a fourth consecutive time. The conditions in Miami should also suit the 20th seed’s game.
Prediction: Tauson in 2
Marta Kostyuk vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: First meeting
Birrell triumphed in a brutal physical battle against Anastasia Potapova in a deciding set tiebreak. Overcoming Kostyuk after that effort is a significant challenge. The Ukrainian’s athleticism is even better than Potapova’s, and she has more power to match, especially with her backhand. Birrell probably needs to win the opening set to have any chance of prevailing.
Prediction: Kostyuk in 2
McCartney Kessler vs Linda Noskova
Head-to-head: Noskova 1-0 Kessler
This is a fascinating matchup. Kessler naturally likes being aggressive, but she has proven in the last few months that she can dig in when needed. This year’s Hobart International champion will need those skills against Noskova’s powerful hitting. The Czech began the season strongly, but was out of sorts against Lulu Sun in Indian Wells. Kessler usually plays well on home turf and I like her chances of battling into the next round.
Prediction: Kessler in 3
Karolina Muchova vs Victoria Azarenka
Head-to-head: Muchova 1-1 Azarenka
Azarenka won this pair’s first meeting in 2020, and Muchova won the second in 2023. Muchova is a far better player than in 2020, and her variety is not a style that Azarenka enjoys facing. However, the two-time Australian Open champion has won the title in Miami three times and reached the semifinal last year. That means Muchova almost certainly needs to be at her best, but I think her game will have just enough to triumph against the veteran.
Prediction: Muchova in 3
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
