All WTA fourth round singles matches will take place on a busy Monday in Miami.
2023 Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and 2021 Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova will meet for the third time in as many events. Krejcikova prevailed in three sets in Dubai, while Sabalenka prevailed in three sets at Indian Wells. Who will win the rubber match on Monday?
Meanwhile, ATP third round action concludes on Monday. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev are the top seeds on the bottom half of the draw, and are just a few rounds away from a semifinal which would renew a bitter rivalry that started five years ago in this very city. But many formidable foes, like Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, and Frances Tiafoe, stand in their way. However, Medvedev’s path has become a bit easier, as he has received a walkover on Monday from an injured Alex Molcan.
Each day, this preview will analyze the two most intriguing matchups, while highlighting other notable matches on the schedule. Monday’s play gets underway at 11:00am local time.
Jessica Pegula (3) vs. Magda Linette (20) – Not Before 1:00pm on Stadium Court
Pegula is 17-5 in 2023, and was a semifinalist here a year ago. Linette is 12-6, and reached her maiden Major quarterfinal in Melbourne, a feat Jessica is still trying to achieve. Magda currently sits at a career-high ranking of 19th in the world, and would improve on that with a deep run at this tournament.
In their first career meeting, the American should be favored. Her consistency, paired with her penetrating groundies, have made her one of the WTA’s toughest outs across the last few seasons. But Linette has plenty of finesse and defensive skills that could drag more errors out of Pegula, so this could be an interesting contest.
Barbora Krejcikova (16) vs. Aryna Sabalenka (2) – Not Before 8:30pm on Stadium Court
Overall Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 3-1, with all matches taking place on hard courts. Three years ago in Linz, Aryna was victorious in three sets. Two years ago at the US Open, she was again victorious, this time in straights. They’ve also both met many times in doubles, as both are Slam champs in women’s doubles as well.
Sabalenka is now 19-2 on the year, and has dropped only 10 games in her four sets played so far in Miami. Krejcikova is 15-5, and has also advanced to this stage without dropping a set.
I expect another tight battle on Monday between two of the WTA’s top five performers of the year. But with her huge serve and groundstrokes clicking, and with all the confidence she’s currently playing with, Sabalenka must be considered the favorite.
Other Notable Matches on Monday:
Cristian Garin (Q) vs. Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) – Tsitsipas is 11-3 this season, and is yet to play a match this fortnight, as he received a walkover in his opening round from Richard Gasquet. Having now qualified for both Indian Wells and Miami, Garin has won nine matches between the two events. But he is 0-2 against Stefanos at tour level, though both matches were on clay.
Felix Auger-Aliassime (5) vs. Francisco Cerundolo (25) – Auger-Aliassime survived a prolonged two-set battle against Thiago Monteiro on Saturday, which lasted nearly three hours. Cerundolo was a shocking semifinalist here a year ago. Felix has already defeated Francisco twice this year, at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells.
Elena Rybakina (10) vs. Elise Mertens – Rybakina is 18-4 on the year, and the Indian Wells champ is currently on an eight-match win streak. She’s already won two three-setters this past week in Miami, and Elena is 2-1 against Elise, having taken both of their hard court encounters.
Hubert Hurkacz (8) vs. Adrian Mannarino – Hurkacz saved five match points against Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday night, winning the longest three-set match of the year at tour-level. Mannarino took out breakout American Ben Shelton in three sets on the same evening. Hubi is 2-1 against Adrian.
Lorenzo Sonego vs. Frances Tiafoe (12) – Tiafoe loves playing in Miami, as he’s vying for his fifth consecutive fourth round appearance at this event. Frances overcame a stern test from Yosuke Watanuki on Saturday, but has split two previous matches against Sonego, both of which took place this past fall.
Monday’s full Order of Play is here.
