The WTA Miami Open’s fourth round promises an exciting lineup, with all eight matches scheduled for Day 7. This preview covers key encounters featuring four Top 10 players, including top seed Aryna Sabalenka and third seed Elena Rybakina. We’ll provide predictions for each match, anticipating which players will advance.
Amanda Anisimova vs Belinda Bencic
Head-to-Head: Anisimova 2-2 Bencic
Amanda Anisimova secured a straightforward win in her third-round match against Yulia Starodubtseva. Despite the comfortable victory, she dropped serve twice, highlighting a potential vulnerability on her second serve that Belinda Bencic could exploit. While Anisimova possesses the talent to defeat any opponent, her form this season has been inconsistent. Bencic, in contrast, has shown greater reliability. Anisimova’s serving performance will be crucial; a lapse could put her in a precarious position.
Prediction: Bencic in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-Head: Pegula 1-0 Cristian
Jessica Pegula has consistently been one of the top performers this season, effortlessly progressing through the initial rounds. Her serve appears particularly strong, and her baseline play remains exceptionally solid. Jaqueline Cristian secured another victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova, marking their second encounter this season, though this time it was a much tighter contest. Alexandrova even served for the match in the deciding set, but Cristian displayed resilience, breaking back and ultimately winning the tiebreak. While a significant win for the Romanian, it’s unlikely she can pose a serious challenge to Pegula’s current form.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Talia Gibson
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Despite Iva Jovic’s promising talent, she found herself overwhelmed by Talia Gibson’s performance in their third-round match. Gibson comprehensively outmaneuvered the American, adding another Top 20 victory to her record. Her game continues to evolve impressively, displaying a level comparable to Top 10 players. However, this formidable form might still fall short against Elena Rybakina, who operates in an entirely different class. While Gibson possesses the skills to make the match engaging, the World No. 3 is expected to secure the win.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Aryna Sabalenka vs Qinwen Zheng
Head-to-Head: Sabalenka 7-1 Zheng
This match is a repeat of last year’s Miami Open quarterfinal, where Aryna Sabalenka secured a straight-sets victory. Qinwen Zheng recently achieved a notable comeback win against Madison Keys after dropping the first set. While Zheng is certainly improving, she still appears some distance from posing a serious threat to the World No. 1. Historically, this has proven to be a challenging matchup for the Chinese player, having won only three sets across eight previous encounters. Sabalenka clearly holds the advantage.
Prediction: Sabalenka in 2
