The draw for the Miami Open has been finalized, setting the stage for another thrilling tournament in the second leg of the ‘Sunshine Double.’
Following Mirra Andreeva’s stunning triumph over Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells WTA 1000 final, the focus now shifts to Florida, where top players will battle for another prestigious title.
Emma Raducanu, looking to regain form and climb back up the rankings, has been handed an opportunity to earn valuable points. The 2021 US Open champion, who did not compete in Miami last year due to injury, will begin her campaign against world No. 206 Sayaka Ishii, a qualifier. A victory would set up a challenging second-round encounter against eighth seed Emma Navarro.
Raducanu, who suffered a disappointing defeat to Moyuka Uchijima at Indian Wells, acknowledged her struggles after the match.
“It was just a very difficult match for me,” she admitted after recording her sixth loss in nine matches this season. “Tough conditions, difficult ball from my opponent. I tried to be aggressive, I tried to make the ball, but I guess it didn’t work today.
“I had great support around me. I was feeling pretty good. Today was just a bit of a curveball, but I’m going to move on.”
Former British No. 1 Laura Robson weighed in on Raducanu’s draw. “It’s a tough draw. If she gets through the first round, she’s got Emma Navarro waiting, so it won’t be easy,” Robson noted.
Meanwhile, Andreeva, fresh off her historic Indian Wells victory, will be aiming for a third consecutive WTA 1000 title. She has a bye in the first round and will face either Veronika Kudermetova or Wang Xiyu in her opening match, with Amanda Anisimova potentially awaiting in the third round.
At the top of the draw, No. 1 seed Sabalenka will begin her campaign against either Caty McNally or Viktoriya Tomova after receiving a first-round bye. No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek could face a tricky opening test against France’s Caroline Garcia, with Britain’s Katie Boulter a possible third-round opponent.
American No. 1 Coco Gauff, another title contender, could meet former Grand Slam champion Sofia Kenin in her opening match, adding further intrigue to what promises to be an exciting tournament.
