Eight third-round matches will be played on day 5 of the WTA Miami Open. This article features world No.3,Coco Gauff and defending champion Danielle Collins. As always. we here at LWOT will offer our predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance?
WTA Miami Day 5 Predictions
Magda Linette vs Linda Fruhvirtova
Head-to-Head: Linette 1-1 Fruhvirtova
Magda Linette defeated another seasoned Russian player in the second round and will play in the third round of the Miami Open for the third time in her career. Linette was excellent behind her serve against Ekaterina Alexandrova and played a solid match overall. She likes the conditions here and would back herself to beat Linda Fruhvirtova, who played her best match in a long time against Beatriz Haddad Maia. Fruhvirtova’s single WTA title came in Chennai where she defeated Linette in the final. I expect this to be a close encounter with Linette edging it in the end.
Prediction: Linette in 3
Naomi Osaka vs Hailey Baptiste
Head-to-Head: Osaka 1-0 Baptiste
Naomi Osaka played her best match of the season to beat Liudmila Samsonova in straight sets. It was a significant improvement over her first-round performance and she has a winnable match against Hailey Baptiste. These two met earlier this year when Osaka won in three sets. Baptiste also had a fantastic win in the second round as she defeated Daria Kasatkina in three sets. It was the first top-20 win of the season for the American. Osaka will have the upper hand if she can play like she did in the second round.
Prediction: Osaka in 2
Danielle Collins vs Rebeka Masarova
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Danielle Collins had a tough opening round match against Sorana Cirstea but she remained solid and won in straight sets. Collins plays her best tennis in Miami and it will be extremely difficult for anyone to beat her here. Rebeka Masarova took full advantage of an erratic Donna Vekic and continues her great week. Upsetting another player might be too big an ask from Masarova, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she wins a set and makes this a close match.
Prediction: Collins in 3
Coco Gauff vs Maria Sakkari
Head-to-Head: Gauff 4-5 Sakkari
Coco Gauff has not lived up to her high expectations this season, but she made a major statement in the opening round by demolishing Sofia Kenin. Gauff showed no mercy as she did not lose a single game and faced only one break point all match. Maria Sakkari escaped narrowly against Lucia Bronzetti and will need to play at a higher level to beat Gauff. This will be the 1oth encounter between these two. Their last meeting came recently in Indian Wells where Gauff won in straight sets. I predict Sakkari to fight harder, but Gauff should come out on top in the end.
Prediction: Gauff in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
