WTA Miami Day 1 Predictions Including Kvitova vs Kenin

Petra Kvitova has only played two matches since coming back to the Tour, losing both in straight sets. Her next opponent will be in-form Sofia Kenin on Day 1 of the WTA 1000 in Miami, with the two last clashing in the semifinals at 2020 Roland Garros. Who do you think will emerge victorious this time around?

WTA Miami Day 1 Predictions

Sorana Cirstea vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto

Head-to-head: Cirstea 1-0

Slowly but surely, Sorana Cirstea seems to be recovering her level and after making back-to-back quarterfinals in Dubai and Austin, she almost took out Emma Navarro in Indian Wells. She last played Elisabetta Cocciaretto five years ago and should be expecting a tougher encounter here. But it’s not like the Italian is firing on all cylinders right now and her playstyle should leave Cirstea plenty of space to be aggressive. It’s a good chance for another win on the comeback trail.
Prediction: Cirstea in 2

Lauren Davis vs Aoi Ito

Head-to-head: First meeting

Lauren Davis has fallen off quite a bit these last few years and will be looking for her first main tour win since the 2023 US Open. The American also used her protected ranking for Indian Wells and was taken out by Elina Avanesyan in the opening round. The task at hand is a bit easier this time with qualifier Aoi Ito. It seems like Davis in her prime would probably handle the tricky playstyle of the Japanese pretty well, especially as she’s not prone to overhitting. Now it’s quite tough to call the winner in this one.
Prediction: Davis in 3

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Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Polina Kudermetova

Head-to-head: First meeting

It’s still pretty wild that despite some of her recent Grand Slam appearances, Elena-Gabriela Ruse sits outside the Top 100 in the WTA Rankings. Maybe not for long as qualifying here should help her out. That said, she didn’t get the easiest draw with Polina Kudermetova making some big progress this season. The Russian made the third round in Indian Wells and will be looking to keep up the momentum. She’ll definitely force Ruse to be a lot more efficient than in the qualifying.
Prediction: Kudermetova in 3

Petra Kvitova vs Sofia Kenin

Head-to-head: Kvitova 2-1

Sofia Kenin won their most important (and most recent) encounter in the semifinals of the 2020 French Open. Five years later they’re both at completely different stages of their careers. Petra Kvitova is making a comeback with little expectations and no wins so far, while the American is finally getting runs on a regular basis after only a few flashes last season. Kvitova took a set off Jodie Burrage and Varvara Gracheva in recent weeks, but Kenin right now seems like a considerable step up.
Prediction: Kenin in 3

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