WTA Miami continues on and, if Tuesday's matches are any indication, we are in for an incredible tournament.
I’ve found value on two of Wednesday's fascinating matches, featuring Aliaksandra Sasnovich vs Dalma Galfi and Amanda Anisimova vs Madison Brengle.
Read on for my WTA Miami picks for March 22.
Note: Match times are subject to change. Read here for tips on viewing tennis matches and seeing tennis odds.
WTA Miami Odds, Picks
Aliaksandra Sasnovich (-180) vs Dalma Galfi (+154)
11 a.m. ET
Aliaksandra Sasnovich last played in Indian Wells where she fell 5-7, 6-3, 2-6 in the second round to Jelena Ostapenko. Sasnovich struggled to handle Ostapenko's firepower, winning 51% of her service points and 45% of her return points in the defeat.
However, Sasnovich was better in both respects in the opening round, winning 59% of her service points and 47% of her return points in her victory over Kaia Kanepi.
While Sasnovich is just 4-7 this season, with all matchups on hard courts, she does have a 252-153 career-record on the surface. Sasnovich seemed to find her game a bit in Indian Wells. She has decent power from the baseline, although her control comes and goes. But, she's smart with her shot selection and spreads the court well. The Belarusian also has world-class variety, particularly her backhand slice.
After upsetting Danielle Collins in her opening match in Indian Wells, Dalma Galfi lost 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6 to Caroline Garcia. While Galfi hit six double faults, she also hit 14 aces, winning 60% of her service points. The Hungarian struggled on return, however, winning just 25% of her return points and failing to break.
Galfi thrived in the very slow, high-bouncing Indian Wells, which gives her time to set up on her groundstrokes, but the conditions won't be as favorable for her in Miami. Galfi has a big first serve and a big forehand, but her backhand can break down under pressure. In addition, Galfi is not the fastest around the court and doesn't have great variety.
It's worth noting, however, that while Galfi is just 6-8 in 2023, with all matches on hard courts, she does have a 133-89 record on the surface as a professional.
Sasnovich is the more dynamic player and should come through in this one. The Belarusian has the better variety and movement of the two and can manipulate the ball around the court with more precision.
In addition, Galfi's backhand is the worst groundstroke on the court and Sasnovich has the baseline game and tactical awareness to exploit in the Hungarian's game.
Sasnovich should also be able to rush Galfi's forehand, which should lead to plenty of errors.
Pick: Sasnovich -2.5 Games (-132) |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
Amanda Anisimova (-330) vs Madison Brengle (+270)
12:30 p.m. ET
Amanda Anisimova last played in Indian Wells where she fell 6-7(8), 3-6 in her opening match to Linda Noskova. Anisimova won 74% of her first-serve points, but only 39% of her second-serve points, getting broken on four occasions. On return, the American won 63% of her second-serve returns, but only 28% of her first-serve returns, breaking just twice.
Anisimova is just 3-6 on the year (all on hard) in her return to tour from injury. She's still finding her game, but her level seems to be improving since Australia. In addition, Anisimova does have an 83-55 career-record on hard courts. The American has a well-placed first serve and plays an aggressive styler from the baseline. Anisimova is a smart player with plenty of firepower, although her game can break down at times.
Madison Brengle lost 7-5, 1-6, 2-6 in the second round of Indian Wells to Martina Trevisan. Brengle won just 44% of her service points and was broken an astonishing nine times. And while the American won 46% of her return points and broke six times herself, it wasn't enough to cover up her rancid serving performance.
Brengle is now 5-9 this season (all on hard). For her career, however, Brengle has a 413-276 record on hard courts. The American anticipates well, has a high tennis IQ and gets excellent consistent depth on her groundstrokes. However, Brengle's serve is weak and she has little power from the baseline.
Anisimova should dominate from the baseline in this matchup. While she hasn't played great tennis this season, her level is improving, and she has the game to blast Brengle off of the court.
There's nothing that Brengle can do, whether it be her serve or her groundstrokes, that can hurt Anisimova. Anisimova should be in her comfort zone, directing play.
When looking at Elo ratings, Anisimova's overall Elo is 123.8 points above Brengle's and her hard-court Elo is 87.4 points higher.
Pick: Brengle To NOT Win A Set (-118) |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
