Third-round matches will start on day 5 of the WTA Miami Open. The lineup is stacked with competitive matches, and top players must do their best to avoid upsets. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance to the next round?
WTA Miami Day 5 Predictions
Leylah Fernandez vs Ashlyn Krueger
Head-to-Head: Fernandez 1-2 Krueger
Leylah Fernandez had a slow start in her second-round match against Alycia Parks but once she got control of the match, she never looked back. This was a big win for the Canadian as she broke her three-match losing streak and will have an opportunity to take revenge on Ashlyn Krueger, who beat her last month in Abu Dhabi. Krueger played a fantastic match to upset Elena Rybakina. It was a windy match and both players struggled with errors but Krueger made timely first serves and held on to her lead brilliantly. The American has defeated Fernandez in their last two meetings, and I expect her to make it three in a row.
Prediction: Krueger in 3
Qinwen Zheng vs Taylor Townsend
Head-to-Head: Zheng 0-1 Townsend
Qinwen Zheng seems to have finally found her form as she backed her quarterfinal run in Indian Wells with a solid first-round performance here. Zheng hit 12 aces and got broken just once. Her best result at the Miami Open came in 2023 when she reached the fourth round and she will expect to improve on that. Taylor Townsend got a great win against Yulia Putintseva to reach the Miami Open third round for the third time in her career. Townsend has played at a good level all week and can trouble Zheng with her forehand. However, Zheng is still the heavy favourite to win this match.
Prediction: Zheng in 3
Ons Jabeur vs Jasmine Paolini
Head-to-Head: Jabeur 2-1 Paolini
Ons Jabeur ended her three-match losing streak with a hard-fought win against Katerina Siniakova in the second round. It was a close match for the most part but Jabeur was just a little more solid in tight situations. Jabeur’s draw doesn’t get any easier as she will face #6 seed, Jasmine Paolini in the third round. Paolini also won her second round match in straight sets but it was far from convincing as she got broken four times. The Italian’s serve can be vulnerable and I expect Jabeur to take advantage.
Prediction: Jabeur in 3
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elena-Gabriela Ruse
Head-to-Head: first meeting
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka wasted no time in winning her second-round match against Viktoriya Tomova. Sabalenka has another easy match on paper against Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who is ranked outside the top 100 and will play in the Miami Open third round for the first time. Ruse has beaten higher-ranked players this week, but this will be a whole new league for her. Sabalenka should win in straight sets.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
