The second day of WTA play in Miami includes a fascinating matchup between two American veterans. That will occur when 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens and 2021 Australian Open runner-up Jennifer Brady play. Three other matches are also predicted in this article. The rest of the WTA action, including Paula Badosa vs Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Alycia Parks vs Sinja Kraus, and Venus Williams vs Francesca Jones, is covered separately.

WTA Miami Day 2 Predictions
Elena-Gabriela Ruse vs Antonia Ruzic

Head-to-head: Ruse 1-0 Ruzic

This pair’s sole meeting was at the 2024 US Open. Ruzic’s development since means that encounter will likely not influence the result in Miami. The Croatian defeated former Grand Slam finalists Jennifer Brady and Qinwen Zheng in Indian Wells. Ruse has not been playing as well, and her best level on a hard court is not as high as Ruzic’s, making this a tough challenge.
Prediction: Ruzic in 2

Hailey Baptiste vs Tatjana Maria

Head-to-head: First meeting

38-year-old Maria is on a six-match losing streak. That contrasts with Baptiste’s more solid level, including pushing the eventual runner-up Elena Rybakina to three sets at the BNP Paribas Open. Opponents have only needed to be solid to beat Maria recently, and that is what Baptiste bases her game around.
Prediction: Baptiste in 2

Emerson Jones vs Linda Fruhvirtova

Head-to-head: First meeting

This is a very interesting matchup. 17-year-old Jones has been tipped by many for big things, while the rhetoric around 20-year-old Fruhvirtova was similar until she slipped somewhat off the radar. Against an opponent who does not hit with overwhelming pace, I like Fruhvirtova’s chances. Jones always fights hard, but her style suits the Czech.
Prediction: Fruhvirtova in 3

Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady

Head-to-head: First meeting

Stephens was out for much of last year with a foot injury. Brady’s injury hell from a severe knee injury dating back to 2023 was even more serious. She lost both matches of her comeback so far in three sets, but I feel Brady will triumph here. The younger American’s powerful hitting is suited to rushing Stephens, who also performed very poorly in straight-set defeats in Indian Wells and Austin earlier this month.
Prediction: Brady in 2

Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports