Miami Open 2021: Petra Kvitova vs Johanna Konta preview, head-to-head & prediction
Match details
Fixture: (9) Petra Kvitova vs (17) Johanna Konta
Date: 27 March 2021
Tournament: Miami Open 2021
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Miami, Florida
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $3,340,000
Match timing: Not before 8.30 pm local time, 6 am IST
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Europsort
Petra Kvitova vs Johanna Konta preview
Playing in her opening match at the 2021 Miami Open, Petra Kvitova looked in top form as she raced past France's Alize Cornet to secure her spot in the third round. Kvitova fired 26 winners against only six unforced errors in the match that lasted about an hour.
The Czech will now look to carry that momentum into the next round, where she faces Great Britain's Johanna Konta.
Konta, who is making a comeback after an injury scare earlier this year, started her week in Miami with a tight two-set win over Magda Linette. Both players looked rusty in the early going, but Konta was able to remain solid on serve and edge her opponent at crucial junctures of the contest.
Against an in-form Kvitova, however, the Brit will need to significantly raise her level of play.
Petra Kvitova vs Johanna Konta head-to-head
Petra Kvitova has a narrow lead of 3-2 over Johanna Konta in the head-to-head. Moreover, Konta won their last meeting, which was at the 2019 Wimbledon Championships.
Petra Kvitova vs Johanna Konta prediction
Doha champion Petra Kvitova has been playing some fine tennis in recent weeks, and will look to continue her run of good form here as well. The same, however, cannot be said about Johanna Konta, who has not had a big result since the Western & Southern Open last year.
Konta does have a big game that is well-suited to hardcourts, but she will need to bring her A-game if she hopes to pull off an upset here.
For Kvitova, the key will be to maintain her own level and not give away too many free points in the match. She has done well to deal with tough and windy conditions lately, and if she can continue in the same vein, the Czech should be able to close this one out.
Prediction: Petra Kvitova to win in two tight sets.