Miami Open 2023: Caroline Garcia vs Sorana Cirstea preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (5) Caroline Garcia vs Sorana Cirstea
Date: March 24, 2023
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
Round: Second round (Round of 64)
Venue: Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $8,800,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Caroline Garcia vs Sorana Cirstea preview
Fresh off their Indian Wells face-off, fifth seed Caroline Garcia and Romanian veteran Sorana Cirstea will cross swords yet again in a tough second-round encounter at the Miami Open 2023 on Friday (March 24).
Following her career-best season last year, WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia has failed to live up to expectations so far this year. The Frenchwoman has made it to two finals this season but lost to lower-ranked opponents on both occasions. While at Lyon she succumbed to a defeat against rising star Alycia Parks, Garcia went down fighting in a three-set thriller against Donna Vekic in Monterrey.
Moreover, the World No. 4 also reached the quarterfinals at the Adelaide International 2 and the Qatar Open. At the recently concluded BNP Paribas Open, Garcia was made to sweat in every round. After winning her first couple of matches in three sets, she fell to a three-set defeat against Cirstea in the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, former French Open quarterfinalist Sorana Cirstea won just four matches in her first six tournaments of the year before turning things around at Indian Wells last week.
She went on a dazzling run, scalping the likes of Garcia and Madison Keys to set up a quarterfinal clash with World No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek. The Pole was, however, merciless during their meeting, conceding just five games to run away to a commanding victory.
The World No. 74 has now begun her Miami campaign with a 7-6(6), 6-2 triumph over unheralded Mexican player Fernanda Contreras Gomez.
Caroline Garcia vs Sorana Cirstea head-to-head
Garcia has a slender 2-1 lead over Cirstea in their head-to-head. All three of their matches have gone the distance in what has been a competitive rivalry.
Cirstea earned her only win over Garcia just last week at Indian Wells when she edged the Frenchwoman 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
Caroline Garcia vs Sorana Cirstea odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Caroline Garcia vs Sorana Cirstea prediction
With all of their showdowns stretching to three sets, there's every possibility that Garcia and Cirstea could orchestrate yet another marathon when they face off on Friday. Both are aggressive baseliners who like to hit the ball flat and hard, making for a potentially blockbuster encounter.
Revenge will be on the Frenchwoman's mind after her tough defeat at Indian Wells. The fast courts in Miami should aid her as she aims to settle the score with Cirstea.
Garcia has the better serve of the two, and it should come in handy on these courts. If she can win a few free points off her serve, she could put the pressure back on Cirstea, who tends to rack up a high number of unforced errors due to her high-risk playing style.
Nevertheless, Garcia hasn't been highly consistent herself in the last few months, so the match could swing either way. However, if she can play the big points smartly, incorporating a little variety, the Frenchwoman could edge Cirstea in their upcoming contest.
Pick: Garcia to win in three sets
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