Miami Open 2023: 5 must-watch Round 1 matches ft. Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu & more
Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu will clash in one of the most highly anticipated opening-round matches at the 2023 Miami Open.
The BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells concluded on Sunday with Elena Rybakina beating Aryna Sabalenka 7-6(11), 6-4 to win her maiden WTA 1000 event.
The women's singles draw for the Miami Open has been released, and we are in for some high-octane tennis action over the next 12 days. The 32 seeded players have all received a bye into the second round.
However, a number of well-known players will be competing in the first round and we have some interesting matchups that will no doubt appeal to tennis fans.
On that note, here's a look at five must-watch matches from the opening round of the Miami Open:
#1 Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu
Emma Raducanu will square off against Bianca Andreescu in what is perhaps the most highly-awaited matchup from the first round of the Miami Open. This will be the second meeting between the pair, with Andreescu winning 6-2, 2-1 in their previous encounter at last year's Italian Open.
Raducanu produced excellent tennis to reach the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open before losing 6-3, 6-1 to Iga Swiatek. Andreescu also lost to the Pole in Indian Wells in the third round.
The Canadian, however, put up more of a fight, especially in the second set, which had to be decided by a tiebreak.
Both players like to play aggressive tennis, making this fixture an enticing prospect.
#2 Sloane Stephens vs Shelby Rogers
Sloane Stephens will face Shelby Rogers in the first round of the Miami Open. It will be the first meeting between the two.
Stephens suffered an opening-round exit at the BNP Paribas Open while Rogers managed to reach the second round, where she took a set off eventual semifinalist Maria Sakkari before going down 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.
Stephens is currently ranked 47th in the world and has a 4-6 win/loss record this season. Her best performance was reaching the quarterfinals in two WTA 250 events in Merida and Austin. Rogers, on the other hand, has won five out of 11 matches, with her best outing coming at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she reached the quarterfinals.
Both players will be keen to start the Miami Open in a strong fashion and advance further.
#3 Alycia Parks vs Elise Mertens
Alycia Parks and Elise Mertens will square off for the first time in the opening round of the Miami Open. Both players were eliminated in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open.
Parks performed brilliantly at the Lyon Open, which she won by beating Caroline Garcia in the final. However, the 22-year-old has won just one out of five matches since then.
Elise Mertens has won seven out of 14 matches so far this season, with her best result being a semifinal run at the Monterrey Open.
We have an interesting showdown on the cards, with both players determined to bounce back after disappointing showings in Indian Wells.
#4 Camila Giorgi vs Kaia Kanepi
Camila Giorgi will face the experienced Kaia Kanepi in the first round of the Miami Open. It will be the first main-draw meeting between the pair on the WTA tour. They were supposed to meet in the second round of the 2015 Hobart International but Kanepi withdrew from the tournament.
Giorgi has won nine out of 13 matches so far this season, including a title run at the Merida Open, where she beat Rebecca Peterson in the final. Kanepi, meanwhile, has won just two out of seven matches so far this season. The Estonian is currently on a three-match losing streak.
Giorgi will enter the match as the favorite to win, but Kanepi is more than capable of giving the Italian a run for her money.
#5 Amanda Anisimova vs Madison Brengle
Amanda Anisimova will be up against compatriot Madison Brengle in the first round of the Miami Open. It will be the second WTA main-draw meeting between the pair, with Anisimova winning their previous encounter in the second round of the Silicon Valley Classic.
Both players have had disappointing starts to the season, with Anisimova having a 2-5 win/loss record while Brengle has triumphed in just three out of 10 matches.
Anisimova is a formidable competitor on her day and will be eager to find her form again in Miami. She is expected to win, although the more experienced Brengle should not be written off.