{"id":1831200,"date":"2026-03-17T13:30:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T10:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1831200"},"modified":"2026-03-17T13:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T10:30:51","slug":"wta-miami-open-predictions-sabalenka-rybakina-rivalry-continues-swiatek-faces-more-disappointment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1831200","title":{"rendered":"WTA Miami Open Predictions: Sabalenka &amp; Rybakina rivalry continues, Swiatek faces more disappointment"},"content":{"rendered":"<article class=\"ps-article-content rounded-lg lg:mt-5 lg:border lg:border-card lg:bg-card lg:shadow-primary\">\n<header>\n<h1 class=\"py-4 text-xl font-normal text-title sm:text-2xl\">WTA Miami Open Predictions: Sabalenka &amp; Rybakina rivalry continues, Swiatek faces more disappointment<\/h1>\n<div class=\"my-2 flex items-center justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/author\/oli-dickson-jefford\" class=\"text-sm font-normal !text-author\"><br \/>\n                            Oli Dickson Jefford                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <time class=\"ml-3 text-sm font-normal text-info md:ml-4\" datetime=\"17 Mar 2026 1:30 PM\" data-ps-date=\"17 Mar 2026 1:30 PM\" data-ps-datetime=\"1773754251\"><br \/>\n                            17 Mar 2026 1:30 PM                        <\/time>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"hidden justify-end space-x-4 text-xl sm:flex sm:!opacity-100\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/common\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\" 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\/>\n                        <a class=\"!text-info hover:!text-brand\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/share.flipboard.com\/bookmarklet\/popout?v=2&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tennis365.com%2Ftennis-news%2Fwta-miami-open-predictions-sabalenka-rybakina-rivalry-continues-swiatek-faces-more-disappointment\" aria-label=\"Share to flipboard\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<div class=\"sm:hidden flex items-center space-x-5\">\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 hidden dark:block h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/common\/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"mx-auto !my-0 dark:hidden h-6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/content\/themes\/tennis365-sportsui\/img\/png\/common\/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png\" alt=\"Add as a preferred source on Google\" width=\"76\" height=\"24\"><br \/>\n                        <\/a><br \/>\n                        <button id=\"t365-article-share-btn-hidden\" class=\"mr-2 hidden h-6 w-6 appearance-none border-none !text-share-icon outline-none hover:!text-share-icon-active sm:hidden\" data-title=\"WTA Miami Open Predictions: Sabalenka &amp; Rybakina rivalry continues, Swiatek faces more disappointment\"><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5 border-b border-page\"><\/div>\n<section>\n<div class=\"-mx-3 sm:-mx-5\">\n<figure class=\"aspect-h-9 aspect-w-16 relative\">\n                                        <img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1320\" height=\"742\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"w-full h-full object-cover object-center !my-0\" src=\"https:\/\/d2me2qg8dfiw8u.cloudfront.net\/content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Rybakina-Sabalenka-Swiatek-Miami-1320x742.jpg\" alt=\"Pictured L-R: Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek.\">                <\/figure><figcaption class=\"flex items-center space-x-3 border-b border-mobile-caption px-3 lg:border-caption\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"my-1.5 break-words !text-xs !text-content\">\n                                Grand Slam champions  Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek.                            <\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<div class=\"ciam-article-t365\">\n<p>The dust is only starting to settle on what was a thrilling women\u2019s event in Indian Wells, but all attention now quickly turns to the Miami Open \u2014 the second half of the \u2018Sunshine Double\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/news\/aryna-sabalenka-prize-money-revealed-miami-open\">Aryna Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula to lift the title at the WTA 1000 event twelve months ago<\/a>, and both women are back in action this year, joining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/iga-swiatek\">Iga Swiatek<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/elena-rybakina\">Elena Rybakina<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/coco-gauff\">Coco Gauff<\/a> among the top seeds and leading title contenders.<\/p>\n<p>Here, we make our predictions for how the action could pan out in Miami.<\/p>\n<h2>Tennis News<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-features\/miami-open-2026-withdrawal-list-novak-djokovic-emma-raducanu\">Miami Open withdrawal list: 20 players out as Djokovic &amp; Raducanu among 4 Grand Slam winners<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/novak-djokovic-miami-open-2026-withdrawal-martina-navratilova\">Novak Djokovic\u2019s Miami Open withdrawal leaves Martina Navratilova concerned for one reason<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>First Quarter<\/h2>\n<p><em>Projected Q\/F: (1) Aryna Sabalenka vs (7) Jasmine Paolini<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Entering as the defending Miami champion and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-prize-money-ranking-points-indian-wells-open\">the new Indian Wells champion<\/a>, can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/aryna-sabalenka\">Sabalenka<\/a> retain her title and also complete the \u2018Sunshine Double\u2019 this year?<\/p>\n<p>The world No 1 has a favourable draw early on, but could get an interesting test in round four, where she could potentially face 15th seed Madison Keys or 23rd seed Zheng Qinwen.<\/p>\n<p>Victory there would lead Sabalenka to a projected quarter-final against seventh seed<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jasmine-paolini\">\u00a0Paolini<\/a>, whom she beat in the semi-final of this event twelve months ago.<\/p>\n<p>Paolini has not been at her best so far in 2026, and the Italian has a tough draw early on, with a potential round-three clash against 25th seed Jelena Ostapenko, a former finalist in Miami.<\/p>\n<p>The Italian is also projected to face ninth seed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/elina-svitolina\">Elina Svitolina<\/a> in the fourth round, with the Ukrainian in superb form across the opening months of the season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: Sabalenka def Svitolina<\/p>\n<h2>Second Quarter<\/h2>\n<p><em>Projected Q\/F: (3) Elena Rybakina vs (5) Jessica Pegula<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Rybakina and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/jessica-pegula\">Pegula<\/a> have already met at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells this year, and are projected for yet another showdown in Miami.<\/p>\n<p>The Kazakh won both their matches this season and looked in strong form in Indian Wells despite her final defeat, though she does not have the easiest early draw here.<\/p>\n<p>She could again face 27th seed Marta Kostyuk, another player she beat in Indian Wells, in round three, before a potential blockbuster in the fourth round versus <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/naomi-osaka\">Naomi Osaka<\/a>, the 16th seed.<\/p>\n<p>2025 Miami runner-up Pegula could face <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/venus-williams\">Venus Williams<\/a> in her opener and then face a test against 26th seed Leylah Fernandez in round three, before a potential fourth-round against 11th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.<\/p>\n<p>The question for Pegula, if she does end up facing Rybakina, is: what can she do to snap her losing streak against the Australian Open champion?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: Rybakina def Pegula<\/p>\n<h2>Third Quarter<\/h2>\n<p><em>Projected Q\/F: (6) Amanda Anisimova vs (4) Coco Gauff<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Neither <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/amanda-anisimova\">Anisimova<\/a> nor Gauff have been at their free-flowing best throughout parts of 2026, and both American stars will be looking to rediscover their best form on home soil.<\/p>\n<p>Sixth seed Anisimova has a kind draw in the opening rounds but could face a tough test in round four against 12th seed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/belinda-bencic\">Belinda Bencic<\/a>, before a hypothetical quarter-final against Gauff.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/indian-wells-open-what-coco-gauff-said-alex-eala-match-whole-arm-on-fire\">There are question marks over the fourth seed heading into Miami, following her Indian Wells retirement<\/a>, and the 21-year-old does not have the easiest draw here.<\/p>\n<p>Gauff could face Elisabetta Cocciaretto \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/coco-gauff-honest-comments-alarming-qatar-open-loss\">who beat her in Doha last month<\/a> \u2014 in round two, and then has a potential fourth-round versus 14th seed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/linda-noskova\">Linda Noskova<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Noskova has been in incredibly solid form over the past six to nine months, and comes in fresh off a run to the Indian Wells last four.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: Noskova def Bencic<\/p>\n<h2>Fourth Quarter<\/h2>\n<p><em>Projected Q\/F: (8) Mirra Andreeva vs (2) Iga Swiatek<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Swiatek was the Miami Open champion back in 2022, but has been in patchy form throughout the opening weeks of the season.<\/p>\n<p>The Pole could face a Miami rematch against 31st seed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/alex-eala\">Alex Eala<\/a> in round three, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/alex-eala-iga-swiatek-miami-open-upset-wta-rankings-history\">twelve months on from the Filipina\u2019s stunning upset at this very event<\/a>, and is then, much like in Indian Wells, expected to face 13th seed Karolina Muchova.<\/p>\n<p>All that is expected to lead to a quarter-final against <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/mirra-andreeva\">Andreeva<\/a>, but much like Swiatek, the Russian hasn\u2019t always been at her best in recent weeks.<\/p>\n<p>Looking to bounce back from her early Indian Wells exit, Andreeva could face 32nd seed Marie Bouzkova in round three, before a blockbuster clash against tenth seed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tag\/victoria-mboko\">Victoria Mboko<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Mboko and Andreeva have split their two meetings this season, though the Canadian is perhaps the in-form player of this mini-section \u2014 and quarter as a whole.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Prediction<\/strong>: Mboko def Swiatek<\/p>\n<h2>Semi-final predictions<\/h2>\n<p>Rybakina def Sabalenka<\/p>\n<p>Noskova def Mboko<\/p>\n<h2>Final prediction<\/h2>\n<p>Rybakina def Noskova<\/p>\n<p><strong>Want more from Tennis365? Add us as <a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=tennis365.com\" target=\"_blank\">a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for tennis coverage you can trust.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis365.com\/tennis-news\/swiateks-blunt-warning-raducanus-potential-rankings-blow-uncle-toni-disagrees-alcaraz-miami-open-roundup\">Swiatek\u2019s blunt warning, Raducanu\u2019s potential rankings blow, Uncle Toni disagrees with Alcaraz \u2013 Miami Open roundup<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-XbjZnX\" data-nosnippet=\"\" data-quiz-type=\"poll|mpu\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WTA Miami Open Predictions: Sabalenka &amp; Rybakina rivalry continues, Swiatek faces more disappointment Oli Dickson Jefford 17 Mar 2026 1:30 PM Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, and Iga Swiatek. The dust is only starting to settle on what was a thrilling women\u2019s event in Indian Wells, but all attention now quickly turns to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,249],"class_list":["post-1831200","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-tennis365-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1831200","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1831200"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1831200\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1831200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1831200"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1831200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}