Miami Open 2023: Alexandrova vs Andreescu Prediction & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Miami Open fourth-round match featuring Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Bianca Andreescu on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Bianca Andreescu Match Preview

Bianca Andreescu remains in hot pursuit of another quarterfinal at the Miami Open. But 18th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova poses a major challenge to the resurgent Canadian. Who will prevail?

Ekaterina Alexandrova registered her 10th career win over a top-10 player after upsetting Belinda Bencic in the third round of the 2023 Miami Open. That defeat could cost Bencic’s spot inside the top 10. It was a tight encounter, with very fine margins. Alexandrova edged out the Swiss in the first set tiebreak 10-8, and converted the lone break of serve in the second set to round off the win. Alexandrova saved three of four break points on her serve.

The last time Bianca Andreescu played at the Miami Open, she reached the final in 2021, where an injury forced her to retire while trailing Ash Barty 3-6, 0-4. It is a step too far for Andreescu to think about making it into Sunday’s final, but she is making a case for being there. Andreescu’s latest win was against Grand Slam winner Sofia Kenin, 6-4, 6-4, and is one win away from reaching the last eight of a WTA 1000 since Rome in 2022.

Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Bianca Andreescu Prediction and Pick

Ekaterina Alexandrova and Bianca Andreescu have not played each other on the WTA Tour, with their fourth-round match at the 2023 Miami Open being their first meeting. Andreescu has a live ranking of No. 27 and has played some of her best tennis in a long time. Andreescu’s first-strike tennis has been on display in Florida, making a mockery of her recent serving woes. However, I feel Alexandrova could match up well to Andreescu’s ball striking and court craft with her explosive power off the ground. She tormented Bencic in the previous round and was uncharitable on serve. This will be a real test of Andreescu’s resurgence this week, and we reckon she might fall short.