After Aryna Sabalenka won an epic Indian Wells final against Elena Rybakina, the WTA tour moves to Miami for yet another 1000 tournament. While the seeds won’t be in action until Day 3 of the tournament, the first two days also promise lots of exciting matches between unseeded players looking to start a strong run.

WTA Miami Day 1 Predictions
Darja Vidmanova vs Elsa Jacquemot

Head-to-head: first meeting

Although Jacquemot is the clearly higher ranked player, she has been having a very rough 2026, coming into this tournament on a five-match losing streak. Vidmanova, on the other hand, has been having a nice year so far and might just be able to get a rare win at the WTA 1000 level if she manages to keep it up here.
Prediction: Vidmanova in 3

Shuai Zhang vs Sorana Cirstea

Head-to-head: Zhang 4-1 Cirstea

Cirstea continues to show impressive longevity at the highest level but Zhang has been a thorn on her side, winning four of their previous five matchups. Their matches have mostly been quite close, however, and Zhang hasn’t been playing very well lately so this might be a great opportunity for Cirstea to notch a second win in this matchup.
Prediction: Cirstea in 3

Magda Linette vs Varvara Gracheva

Head-to-head: Linette 3-1 Gracheva

There is very little to separate two players, both in terms of general level/ranking and current form. So far, Linette has had the edge in their head-to-head, but the matches have been close and this one should go down to the wire as well, with execution on key points being the deciding factor.
Prediction: Linette in 3

Sofia Kenin vs Anna Blinkova

Head-to-head: Kenin 2-1 Blinkova

Kenin might be a former Slam winner, but as of right now she is on a seven-match losing streak and showing no signs that she can return to anywhere near the heights she once reached. Blinkova hasn’t exactly been in great form herself, losing seven of her last eight matches this year, making this match extremely important for both players as they desperate try to gain some momentum and turn their season around. As such, it should be extremely close and decided by who holds their nerve and executes better in clutch situations.
Prediction: Kenin in 3

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images