The Azarenka/Kerber encounter is just one of many appetizing WTA matchups on Saturday. In another meeting between Slam champs, world No.1 Ash Barty faces Jelena Ostapenko. And in a match featuring two of the WTA’s best servers, Petra Kvitova takes on Johanna Konta. On the men’s side, two of the top seeds, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev, will make their 2021 Miami Open debuts.
Throughout this event, the women’s singles draw will be one day ahead of the men’s. On Saturday, the women’s top half begins third round play, while the men’s top bottom half closes out second round play.
Each day this preview will analyze the two most prominent matches, and note the other intriguing matchups on the day’s schedule. Saturday’s play will begin at 11:00am local time.
Victoria Azarenka (14) vs. Angelique Kerber (24) – Not before 3:00pm on Grandstand
Azarenka has dominated this rivalry, with an 8-1 record. And all but one of their matches have been contested on hard courts. However, Kerber’s only victory was a significant one. It took place in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Australian Open, and helped propel Angelique to her first Major title. Since the tour restart last August, Kerber is a modest 7-7, and lost four of her last five matches coming into this event. But notably, she walloped qualifier Renata Zarazua on Thursday by a score of 6-0, 6-0. By contrast, Azarenka has gone 21-7 during the same span. Vika reached the semifinals of Doha a few weeks ago, though a lower back injury forced her to withdraw. A three-time Miami Open champion, Azarenka is the favorite to prevail.
Petra Kvitova (9) vs. Johanna Konta (17) – Not before 8:30pm on Grandstand
Kvitova leads their head-to-head 3-2, and 2-0 on hard courts. Their last match was a good one, with Konta winning in three sets at the 2019 Wimbledon round of 16. On that day, Kvitova dictated play, striking 40 winners, compared to 22 by Konta. But the difference was Petra’s inability to convert break points, with Konta saving eight of 10 break points faced. Both players won their opening matches this week in straight sets. In their careers, the British No.1 has been the much better player in Miami. She was the 2017 champion, and has an overall record of 16-3, while Kvitova is only 13-10. On what is forecast to be a warm, humid day in Florida, Konta should be favored to even their rivalry at 3-3.
Other Notable Matches on Saturday:
2019 Roland Garros champion Ash Barty (1) vs. Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 champion. The Australian has comfortably claimed both of their previous hard court meetings in straight sets.
Two-time Major champ Simona Halep (3) vs. Anastasija Sevastova, who took out Coco Gauff in the last round. Halep battled a back issue last month, and is now dealing with a shoulder injury.
Recent Acapulco finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas (2) vs. Damir Dzumhur, who is surprisingly 3-1 against Tsitsipas.
Recent Rotterdam champion Andrey Rublev (4) vs. Tennys Sandgren. Rublev has won six titles since the start of 2020. Sandgren arrived in Miami on a three-match losing streak.
Recent Adelaide finalist Belinda Bencic (11) vs. Marketa Vondrousova (19), the 2019 French Open runner-up.
2021 French Open champ Iga Swiatek (15) vs. Ana Konjuh (WC), a 2016 US Open quarterfinalist who underwent four right elbow surgeries in recent years, yet upset Madison Keys on Thursday.
Saturday’s full Order of Play is here.
