Heather Watson vs Arantxa Rus Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Miami

Prediction published on 21/03/2022, 10:18  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 21/03/2022 at 11:50 in Tennis Predictions

Heather Watson slipped to British number three after the Indian Wells tournament. The world number 115 takes on Arantxa Rus in the first round of the Miami Masters. Watson lost in the first round at Indian Wells and was overtaken in the British rankings by Harriet Dart. Watson began this year ranked 72nd but has fallen 43 places. Her best performance in 2022 has been reaching the last 16 in Monterrey but only one match was won that week against a player ranked outside the top 100. Watson has only beaten two top 100 opponents this year and one of those was ranked 99th at the time. Her best win was over Mayar Sheriff in the first round of the Australian Open, before losing to Tamara Zidansek in round two. Zidansek had previously beaten Rus in the first round.

Arantxa Rus is the world number 75 but has been as high as 63rd this year. The 31-year-old has a career high ranking of 61st but that was achieved ten years ago. Rus has been playing Grand Slams for 13 years and never got past the fourth round. In fact, the Dutch player has lost in the first round of the last seven she's played, so hopefully better luck later this year. Rus has had success on the ITF Tour this year, reaching the last eight in Grenoble. That must have boosted her confidence as she qualified for the Doha tournament and beat world number 25 Veronika Kudermetova in the first round, before losing to Tereza Martincova. It didn't go so well at Indian Wells with a first round loss to Katie Volynets who was ranked outside the top 150. Watson is struggling for form, go for Rus to get the win, though it might take her three sets to do so.