The women’s draw in Miami is stacked, with 19 of the world’s top 20 in the field. The only absence is Serena Williams, who withdrew due to recent oral surgery. She is joined on the sidelines by other multi-time Major champions like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka, and Andy Murray. So on the men’s side, the ATP’s next generation takes top billing at this year’s event, featuring six top 20 players aged 25 or younger.
Throughout this event, the women’s singles draw will be one day ahead of the men’s. On Thursday, the women’s top half begins second round play, while the men’s bottom half completes first round action.
Each day this preview will analyze the two most prominent matches, and note the other intriguing matchups on the day’s schedule. Thursday’s play will begin at 11:00am local time.
Simona Halep (3) vs. Caroline Garcia – Not before 5:00pm on Court 1
This will be Halep’s first match since her straight-set loss to Serena Williams in the Australian Open quarterfinals. Simona pulled out of both Doha and Dubai due to a back injury. She has reached the quarterfinals or better in four of her last five trips to Miami, though she’s yet to reach a final. Garcia was a top five player a few years ago, and showed signs of her previous form during the second half of last year, with impressive victories over Karolina Pliskova and and Elise Mertens. Halep leads their head-to-head 6-1, with Garcia’s only victory coming in the final of Beijing in 2017. Garcia lacks the consistency and defensive skills that are hallmarks of Halep’s game. On what are being described as slower-playing hard courts in Miami, Simona is the favorite if she is feeling close to 100%.
Aryna Sabalenka (7) vs. Tsvetana Pironkova – Third on Court 1
You would be hard-pressed to find a bigger clash of styles on Thursday’s schedule, with Sabalenka’s relentless power against the unorthodox guile of Pironkova. Sabalenka has claimed 21 of her last 25 matches, which includes three consecutive titles. Her only losses during that stretch came at the hands of fellow hard-hitters Kaia Kanepi, Serena Williams, and Garbine Muguruza. Pironkova was a shocking semifinalist at last year’s US Open, in her first event at any level in over three years. The 33-year-old successfully came through qualifying at this event, and won a three-setter yesterday over Marta Kostyuk, a promising 18-year-old. In their first career meeting, Sabalenka should advance based on her recent hard court success. And Aryna hasn’t been bothered of late by players like Pironkova who possess considerably less power.
Other Notable Matches on Thursday:
World No.1 Ash Barty (1) vs. Kristina Kucova (Q), a 30-year-old from Slovakia who before yesterday had never won a main draw match in Miami.
Coco Gauff (31) vs. Anastasija Sevastova, who on Wednesday required a third set tiebreak to advance. Their only previous meeting was at last year’s US Open, with Sevastova prevailing 6-4 in the third.
Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek (15) vs. Barbora Krejcikova, who was a surprise finalist two weeks ago at the WTA 1,000 event in Dubai.
Elina Svitolina (5) vs. Shelby Rogers. Svitolina has lost three of her last four matches, though she is 3-0 against the 28-year-old American.
Petra Kvitova (10) vs. Alize Cornet, who yesterday upset another Major champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova. Kvitova is only 12-10 lifetime in Miami, as she often struggles in warm conditions.
Two-time Major finalist Kevin Anderson (PR) vs. Thiago Monteiro, a 26-year-old Brazilian who reached the semifinals of the Great Ocean Road Open earlier this year in Australia.
Thursday’s full Order of Play is here.
