Miami Open 2023: Bianca Andreescu vs Sofia Kenin preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match details
Fixture: Bianca Andreescu vs (PR) Sofia Kenin
Date: March 26, 2023
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $8,800,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Bianca Andreescu vs Sofia Kenin preview
Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, will take on 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in the third round of the 2023 Miami Open on Sunday.
Andreescu knocked out fellow US Open champion Emma Raducanu to set up a second-round date with World No. 10 Maria Sakkari. The Canadian recovered from a break down in the first set to level the score.
However, Sakkari managed to snag another break towards the end of the set, following which she served out the set to take the lead. Andreescu jumped to a 4-1 lead in the second set and despite some pushback from her opponent, she went on to clinch the set to level the match.
There were five breaks of serve in the first six games of the third set, with Andreescu gaining the upper hand to lead 4-2. The Canadian managed to keep Sakkari at bay and went on to complete a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 comeback win.
Meanwhile, a straight-sets win over Storm Hunter put Kenin in the second round, where she faced Anhelina Kalinina. The American drew first blood to lead 3-0 in the opener, but her opponent claimed the next three games to get back on serve.
Kenin raised her level once more to go on another three-game run to take the set. She led by a break in the second set but Kalinina managed to claw her way back into the match.
The 24-year-old then broke the Ukrainian's serve in the seventh game to go 4-3 up. This essentially sealed the deal in her favor and she soon won the match 6-3, 6-4.
Bianca Andreescu vs Sofia Kenin head-to-head
Andreescu leads Kenin 2-1 in the head-to-head at the WTA level. She won their previous encounter at the 2019 Canadian Open in straight sets.
Bianca Andreescu vs Sofia Kenin odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Bianca Andreescu vs Sofia Kenin prediction
Andreescu had to dig deep to score a gritty three-set win over Sakkari in the previous round. There were plenty of long grueling rallies, with the Canadian prevailing in most of them.
Kenin withstood a tough challenge from Kalinina in the second round as well. This marks just the second time that she has won two consecutive matches this season.
Andreescu is once again displaying tactically smart tennis, which was a core part of her success in 2019. She bides her time to unleash her forehand and land the killing blow, and also mixes it up with some defensive slices.
Kenin has the tools to handle everything the Canadian throws at her, but given her lack of consistency these days, it's tough to back her. Andreescu's winning record over the home hope also gives her an edge. Expect her to make it past the American.
Pick: Bianca Andreescu to win in straight sets.