Jessica Pegula vs Magda Linette Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Miami

Prediction published on 26/03/2023, 15:17  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 26/03/2023 at 16:52 in Tennis Predictions

Jessica Pegula is the second highest seed left in the MiamI Open women's singles tournament. Seeded third, the American takes on the 20th seeded Magda Linette in the last 16. The winner faces either the 23rd seed Zheng Qinwen or the 27th seeded Anastasia Potapova. Pegula reached the semi-finals of this tournament last year and has a great chance of doing so again this year. The American will stay in third place in the rankings even if winning this tournament. A couple more wins will see her go above the injured Iga Swiatek into third in the Live WTA Race. This year has seen Pegula win the United Cup with the USA but has only reached one final. That was in Doha where she lost in straight sets to Swiatek. A win over Linette would take her into a fourth quarter final of the year but it's titles the American needs to start winning. Pegula has reached this stage of the tournament without dropping a set.

Magda Linette began the Miami Open ranked a career high 19th and is ninth in the Live WTA Race. Her high ranking in the latter list is mainly down to her great run at the Australian Open where the Pole got to the last four before being beaten by eventual winner Aryna Sabalenka. The last eight was then reached in Merida but then she lost her first matches in both Austin and Indian Wells. The Pole has bounced back well in Miami though and has got through to the last 16 here for the first time. The last round saw her go to three sets to knock out 14th seeded Victoria Azarenka. Pegula has looked solid this week and can make it through to the last eight.