Miami Open 2022: Naomi Osaka vs Danielle Collins preview, head-to-head & prediction

Match details

Fixture: Naomi Osaka vs (9) Danielle Collins.

Date: 29 March 2022.

Tournament: Miami Open presented by Itau.

Round: Quarterfinals.

Venue: Miami, Florida, USA.

Category: WTA 1000.

Surface: Outdoor Hardcourt.

Match timing: Not before 7:00 pm EST / 11:00 pm GMT / 4:30 am IST.

Prize money: $8,584,055.

Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel & ESPN | UK - Amazon Prime Video.

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Naomi Osaka vs Danielle Collins preview

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka will lock horns with 2022 Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins in a blockbuster quarter-final clash at the Miami Open on Tuesday.

Osaka has been gradually building her form back this season after multiple breaks last year to deal with mental health struggles. She started the season in spectacular fashion, reaching the semifinals at the Melbourne Summer Set.

After early exits at the Australian Open and Indian Wells, the four-time Grand Slam champion has played some confident tennis this fortnight in Miami. A happy and healthy Osaka hasn't dropped a set in three matches, with one of her victims being three-time Major winner Angelique Kerber.

Danielle Collins in action at the 2022 Miami Open

Collins, meanwhile, is enjoying a purple patch. After winning a couple of titles last year, the American started the 2022 season with an incredible run to the Australian Open final. Her Melbourne Park heroics helped her break into the top 10 for the first time in her career.

Currently perched at the 11th spot, the American No. 1 has stormed through the Miami Open draw after a slow start. She needed three sets to prevail against Anna Bondar in her first match of the tournament. But since then, the ninth seed has looked very sharp, swatting away Vera Zvonareva and eighth seed Ons Jabeur without breaking a sweat.

A semifinalist in 2018, Collins will be keen to reach the last four again when she squares off against Osaka.

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Naomi Osaka vs Danielle Collins head-to-head

Osaka holds a 2-0 lead in the head-to-head against Collins. The Japanese blew away Collins 6-1, 6-0 in their first meeting in Beijing in 2018. Their next showdown at Indian Wells the following year was slightly more competitive, with Osaka recording a 6-4, 6-2 win.

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Naomi Osaka vs Danielle Collins prediction

Naomi Osaka smiles during her fourth-round match at the 2022 Miami Open

Osaka and Collins' past two meetings took place at a time when the Japanese was at the top of her game. But three years since their last face-off, it's Collins who is at the peak of her powers, which should make their upcoming clash far more interesting.

Collins is a more stable and consistent player now. Her Australian Open performances validate that. The fearless American rampaged through the draw in Melbourne, felling the likes of Iga Swiatek and Elise Mertens en route to the final.

Collins likes to plant herself inside the baseline and take the ball early, robbing her opponents of precious time. However, her serve might be a cause for concern. She landed only 53% and 47% of first serves in her first couple of matches in Miami. Although that number did improve to 69% against Jabeur in her last match, it might not be enough against a player of Osaka's caliber.

The Japanese appears to be rediscovering her best form. She ripped 40 winners past Alison Riske in the fourth round and has produced 15 aces in her three matches so far. However, her first-serve percentage has never gone above 60%, which could land her in trouble against an aggressive returner in Collins.

But if Osaka can improve her serving numbers and stay strong from the baseline, she stands a good chance of beating the home hope.

Prediction: Naomi Osaka to win in three sets.