Damien Kayat previews Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Bianca Andreescu and Aryna Sabalenka vs Barbora Krejcikova in the Round of 16 Matches of the Miami Masters, on 28 March 2023.
2023 WTA Tour
WTA 1000
Miami Masters
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Round of 16 Matches – 28th March
Ekaterina Alexandrova 11/8 | Bianca Andreescu 1/2
28-year-old Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova is coming off an excellent 2022 campaign that saw her enter the top 20 in the world for the first time. She won her 2nd career title at the Rosmalen Open before conquering the hardcourts of Seoul for her 3rd WTA title.
She continued that excellent late-season hardcourt form with a run to the Ostrava semi-finals (where she was eliminated in three sets by the imposing Iga Swiatek). But the Russian has really struggled to replicate that form in 2023.
She actually came into this year’s Miami Open with a win-loss record of 4-5 for the year. She has lost in the opening round of three events this year (including last time out at Indian Wells). But she has thankfully run into a bit of form in the sweltering Miami heat. She ground out a win against home favorite Taylor Townsend.
But she picked up undoubtedly her biggest victory of the year against Olympic champion Belinda Bencic, beating the crafty Swiss in straight sets. It was a stunning performance that featured eight aces and will hopefully be the catalyst to a mid-season surge.
It looks as if we are finally starting to get a glimpse of the Bianca Andreescu that took the world by storm in 2019. The 2019 US Open champion has really struggled with injuries and personal issues over the past few years.
There were even murmurings of a possible early retirement. And her form in 2023 has been typically erratic (her best result being a semi-final at the lackluster Hua Hin Championships). But she has history on these courts and they have once again brought out the best in her.
She came from the tennis wilderness to reach the 2021 final at the Hard Rock Stadium. She was ultimately forced to retire whilst trailing Ashleigh Barty. And she has come through a nightmare draw to reach the final 16 this week. She overcame British starlet Emma Radacanu in a tough opening match. But I think the crucial match was against Greek star Maria Sakkari.
Her three-set win helped break a sequence of five consecutive losses against top ten players. And she looked reenergized against Sofia Kenin, hitting 20 winners in a consummate performance. Looking to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’, Andreescu looks extremely motivated to succeed this year.
Verdict: Andreescu to win in three at 9/4
This will be the first career meeting between these two. Alexandrova is a strong server who prefers hard, fast surfaces. She likes to hit the ball flat and is more one-dimensional than her opponent. Andreescu can mix raw power with true variety. He loves to slice the ball and throw in typically fiendish drop-shots.
That variety is probably the reason she has found such success in these notoriously tough conditions. She doesn’t depend on energy sapping baseline exchanges. And that’s why I think she will persevere in this match (though the Russian may pick up a set with that serve).
Aryna Sabalenka 4/9 | Barbora Krejcikova 31/20
This is fast becoming one of the most fascinating rivalries in women’s tennis. This will be the 3rd consecutive event in which they have met. And you can see why they are such a brilliant rivalry.
Sabalenka’s is ultra-aggressive and looks to dictate through raw power. On the other hand, the Czech is a brilliant counterpuncher who can use Sabalenka’s power against her.
With Iga Swiatek not defending her Miami Open title this year, Aryna Sbalenka can use this as an opportunity to gain some ground in that battle for World No.1. The Belarusian has been exceptional this year, winning her maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne.
She is fresh off a defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final of Indian Wells. She may be slightly worried by those pesky double-faults creeping into that final. But she has shrugged off any concerns with statement wins against Rogers and Bouzkova.
She is now 19-2 for the year and looking almost unstoppable. Having said that, next up for the Belarusian is one of only two women to beat her this year: Barbora Krejcikova.
Barbora Krejcikova is once again balancing her singles and doubles commitments with aplomb this year. She won the Aussie Open and Indian Wells doubles titles alongside partner Katerina Siniakova.
The 2021 French Open champion took some time to get her singles season underway. She picked up a highly creditable 4th round finish at the Aussie Open. But she failed to make an impression in three tournaments either side of that.
But she broke that monotony in a big way in Dubai, beating Sabalenka and winning her maiden WTA 1000 title. She actually beat four top 10 players in that run (Sabalenka included). Sabalenka would return the favor at Indian Wells, beating the Czech in the round of 16.
Both of those clashes with Sabalenka went to three sets and highlight how terrific this rivalry has become. The Czech is fresh off a commanding victory against the dangerous Madison Keys and this match is going to be really tough to call.
Verdict: Sabalenka to win in three sets – 12/5
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head with Krejcikova 3-1. I find it slightly strange that Sabalenka won in Dubai and the Czech persevered at Indian Wells. One would have thought that the slower conditions in Indian Wells would have suited the Czech more.
But it seems that Sabalenka was still able to impose her brute force on the match. I foresee yet another nail-biting three-set match. Sabalenka has looked devastating this week and I think she will be hugely motivated by the absence of Swiatek.
