Friday was nearly a complete rainout in Miami, meaning nearly player remaining in the singles draws will play on Saturday.
In total, Saturday’s schedule has 48 matches across nine courts. Many of the matches rescheduled from Friday were already previewed here, including Naomi Osaka vs. Elina Svitolina and Iga Swiatek vs. Camila Giorgi. So today’s preview will focus on newly-scheduled matches for Saturday, which will feature second round ATP singles action, and third round WTA singles action.
Those matches include top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz and second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka. Plus, two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka faces recent Australian Open runner-up Qinwen Zheng, and Sascha Zverev takes on Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Saturday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Qinwen Zheng (7) vs. Victoria Azarenka (27) – Third on Court 7
Qinwen’s potential has long been evident, but it was still surprising to watch her advance to the Australian Open final this past January at the young age of 21. She has understandably struggled a bit since that life-changing fortnight, with a record of just 3-3. In the opening round, Zheng defeated Katerina Siniakova, who retired early in the third set.
On the same day, Azarenka survived a near three-hour, grueling contest against American Peyton Steans, coming back from a break down in the third to prevail 6-4. That marked the 41st main draw win in Miami for the three-time champion of this event, and improved Vika’s 2024 record to 11-5.
Their only prior meeting occurred last year in Adelaide, where Azarenka won 6-2, 7-5. While Qinwen is a much-improved player over a year later, I still favor Vika at this tournament, where she has enjoyed so much prior success. And as per Tennis Abstract, Zheng has lost her last three matches against top 30 opposition.
Sascha Zverev (4) vs. Felix Auger-Aliassime – Fifth on Grandstand Court
Zverev was the runner-up at this tournament back in 2018, but has now lost in the second round during three of his last four appearances. He is 14-5 on the year, and recently returned to the top five. Sascha will stand trial for allegations of domestic abuse in his home country of Germany later this spring.
Following a superb 2022 season, when he accumulated 60 match wins and achieved a career-high ranking of World No.6, Auger-Aliassime endured a tough 2023, filled with injuries and illness. The Canadian was just 22-19 last year, and is just 8-7 in 2024, as he is still yet to rediscover his top form. Felix was a semifinalist here in 2019, and defeated qualifier Adam Walton in straights on Thursday.
Zverev is 5-2 against Auger-Aliassime overall, and 3-1 on hard courts. In their first meeting in nearly two years, Sascha is the clear favorite, considering their shared history as well as the recent play of each.
Other Notable Matches on Saturday:
Maria Sakkari (8) vs. Dayana Yastremska (28) – Sakkari comfortably ousted recent Austin champ Yue Yuan by a score of 6-2, 6-2 in the last round. Yastremska reached her first Major semifinal two months ago in Melbourne, and eliminated Daria Saville after two tight sets on Thursday.
Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Roberto Carballes Baena – Alcaraz is coming off his first title since Wimbledon last summer, and he won this title back in 2022. Carballes Baena is a fellow Spaniard who as per Tennis Abstract is just 7-12 on hard courts at tour level since the beginning of last year.
Taylor Townsend (Q) vs. Elena Rybakina (4) – After missing Indian Wells due to illness, Rybakina came back from a set down to overcome Clara Tauson in her opening match. Since the beginning of qualifying at Indian Wells, Townsend has now earned seven wins, including a dominant 6-2, 6-2 victory over Elise Mertens on Thursday.
Anhelina Kalinina (32) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – It is impressive that Sabalenka is playing at all this week, after the sudden death of her ex-boyfriend Kostantin Koltsov. But it was even more impressive to see her win in straight sets on Friday against Paula Badosa. Kalinina required over three hours to beat Caroline Wozniacki on Thursday.
Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.
