Osaka’s opponent on Wednesday is Maria Sakkari, who epically saved six match points on Monday, eventually prevailing in a third set tiebreak over Jessica Pegula. And a revitalized Bianca Andreescu takes on Sara Sorribes Tormo, who is 12-1 this month, and was the champion in Guadalajara. In the top quarter of the men’s draw, the seeds have held, making for a marquee quarterfinal between Daniil Medvedev and Roberto Bautista Agut. And one of tennis fastest-rising stars, Jannik Sinner, faces one of the sport’s flashiest stars, Alexander Bublik.
Throughout this event, the women’s singles draw will be a day ahead of the men’s. On Wednesday, the women’s bottom half will complete the quarterfinals, while men’s top half begin quarterfinal play.
Each day this preview will analyze the two most prominent matches, and note the other intriguing matchups on the day’s schedule. Wednesday’s play will begin at 1:00pm local time.
Naomi Osaka (2) vs. Maria Sakkari (23) – 1:00pm on Grandstand
Osaka leads their head-to-head 3-1, though Naomi’s three victories have all gone to a third set. But Sakkari is a much-improved player since they last met in January of 2020. The 25-year-old from Greece has gone 31-15 since that loss, and as per Tennis Abstract, has accumulated a winning record against top 10 opposition. But defeating the four-time Major champion on her favorite surface, and when she hasn’t lost in recent memory, is a huge ask. That’s especially true following the physical and emotional toll of her comeback victory in the last round, a match that lasted nearly three hours in the Florida heat. Osaka has played much less tennis this past week: she received a walkover in the third round, and claimed her other two matches in straight sets. And there’s not much Sakkari does better on-court than Osaka. All this makes Naomi the favorite to reach her first semifinal in Miami.
Daniil Medvedev (1) vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (7) – Not before 8:30pm on Grandstand
They’ve met twice before, with both matches occurring on hard courts, and both matches going the way of the Spaniard. The first was four years ago in the final of Chennai, before Medvedev became the top player he is today. But the other was just last summer at the Western & Southern Open, where Bautista Agut prevailed in three sets. Medvedev suffered from cramps two rounds ago, though looked just fine in a straight set victory yesterday over Frances Tiafoe. He may even be the fresher player today, as Bautista Agut outlasted John Isner in an extended third-set tiebreak, saving a match point along the way. However, Roberto is one of the fittest players on tour, and matches against Isner don’t involve many grueling rallies. Daniil has now won 27 of his last 29 matches. And with this being a night match, his body won’t suffer as much as in the heat of the day. I like Medvedev’s chances of figuring out a way to earn his first victory over Bautista Agut after a significant battle.
Other Notable Matches on Wednesday:
Bianca Andreescu (8) vs. Sara Sorribes Tormo – Andreescu is coming off impressive back-to-back wins against Amanda Anisimova and Garbine Muguruza. And while Sorribes Tormo has taken 12 of 13 matches in March, none of those wins were against a top 10 player.
Jannik Sinner (21) vs. Alexander Bublik (32) – They just played two weeks ago in Dubai, with Sinner prevailing 6-4 in the third.
Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Iga Swiatek – this is a women’s doubles quarterfinal featuring two recent Roland Garros singles champions.
Wednesday’s full Order of Play is here.