WTA Miami Open: Tournament Preview
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
WTA Miami Open: Surprising Recent Editions!
Held right after the BNP Paribas Open, which is the players' favorite event of the season, the WTA Miami Masters 1000 has often delivered surprises, with a sequence that has rarely worked out in favor of the top tennis stars.
To prove this, the Indian Wells-Miami double has only been achieved 3 times in the past 20 years: Iga Swiatek in 2022, Victoria Azarenka in 2016, and Kim Clijsters in 2005. Mirra Andreeva, who won in California on Sunday night, understands the immense challenge ahead of her starting this Tuesday and will attempt to join this very exclusive group. And our Miami Open prediction is already live!
The tournament’s top seed in the women's draw has also rarely been crowned in recent years, with only 3 women managing to live up to their status since 2015: Iga Swiatek in 2022, Ashleigh Barty in 2021, and Serena Williams in 2015. Still searching for her first Miami title, Aryna Sabalenka, who lost in the final at the BNP Paribas Open, will need to find the physical and mental resources to secure her first trophy in Florida!
WTA Miami Masters 1000: Our Favorites for the Women's Singles Tournament
The women's draw for the 2025 edition of the WTA Miami Masters 1000 will be packed with all the big names in Florida. But with some players having seen their runs cut short at the BNP Paribas Open and others who have expended a lot of energy in California, surprises should, as always, be on the horizon. Here's a quick look at the main contenders for this Florida tournament and your upcoming tennis predictions.
Who Can Stop Mirra Andreeva?
Newly ranked world No. 6, Mirra Andreeva has made a thunderous entry into the WTA top 10. A true tennis prodigy, the young Russian needed time to establish herself at the highest level and to wait for the breakthrough moment that would take her to another dimension, which came in early 2025! Already impressive during the Australian portion of the tour with a semifinal in Brisbane and a round-of-16 finish in Melbourne, Mirra Andreeva finally tasted success in February by winning the Dubai Masters 1000. This victory acted as a springboard for the Krasnoyarsk native, who dominated the Dubai tournament and then carried that momentum to claim the BNP Paribas Open title on Sunday night.
Having defeated Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in California — the two best players in the world — Mirra Andreeva has made a big impression, completing 2 consecutive Masters 1000 victories and winning 12 matches, dropping just 3 sets in the process. While pulling off the Indian Wells–Miami double is challenging as we mentioned, it’s hard not to consider the 17-year-old as one of the top favorites in Miami’s women's draw (Mirra Andreeva to win, odds of +700).
Aryna Sabalenka: A World No. 1 with Some Doubts
One can be world No. 1, having won 8 titles in the last 2 years, and still have some doubts in their mind. After losing in the final in Australia, where she was the two-time defending champion, Aryna Sabalenka took a blow to her confidence and couldn't bounce back in Doha and Dubai. However, the Belarusian showed her best form in Indian Wells, dominating her opponents until the final of the BNP Paribas Open.
Yet, the missed final step against Mirra Andreeva left a bitter taste and showed that the triple Grand Slam champion might not have the same margin she had last year. Still, how can we not list Aryna Sabalenka among the favorites for the Miami women's tournament, with sportsbooks making her the favorite to win (odds of +270) in Florida?
WTA Miami Open 2025: Don’t Underestimate Iga Swiatek
Like many players, Iga Swiatek has been outplayed by Mirra Andreeva in recent weeks, both in Dubai and Indian Wells. However, while the Polish player has yet to win a trophy in 2025, her quality of play is undeniable as the world No. 2. To beat Iga Swiatek, one must produce an exceptional performance, which the Russian and even Madison Keys managed to do in Australia.
Nothing guarantees that any player in the women’s draw will have another monumental performance to oust Iga Swiatek, and the Polish talent will still make her the top contender for the title at the Miami Masters 1000, with odds of +300.
Big Odds for the WTA Miami Masters 1000
Behind these 3 favorites, many other women could also have a good run or even claim the victory in Florida, a tournament that has often seen outsiders shine. Elena Rybakina, who won in 2023, knows the recipe for winning in Miami (odds of +1100). The Kazakh player is looking for a standout result this year, and in a venue that has suited her in the past, the world No. 8 will be one to watch. Such is the case for American Coco Gauff, who is always a contender to win in front of her home crowd. Despite the world No. 3 struggling at the moment, the WTA Finals champion from last November can find her best form at any moment (odds of +1300).
But the best chance for the US might well be Madison Keys (odds of +1500)! The winner of the Australian Open in January, the now No. 5 player on the WTA Tour, recently reached the semifinals at the BNP Paribas Open. Her record of 18 wins in 20 matches this season shows the progress made by Floridian players. She’ll be playing at home for this tournament.
Now you have all the information and our tips to make your predictions for the Miami Masters 1000, which kicks off on Tuesday, March 18, at Hard Rock Stadium!
