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Match details
Fixture: Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
Round: First round (Round of 128)
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
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu preview
Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu will clash in a blockbuster showdown between former US Open champions in the first round of the Miami Open 2023.
Both have had to deal with numerous injuries since their respective triumphs in New York. Raducanu has had to bear the brunt more than the Canadian. Since her monumental feat at the US Open in 2021, the Brit has managed to reach the quarterfinal stage or better in just four tournaments.
None of those, however, came in 2023. She has played just three tournaments in the ongoing season, having notched five wins so far.
Three of those victories were achieved in Raducanu's latest tournament in Indian Wells, where the 20-year-old had her best run of the season. After exacting revenge for her 2022 Australian Open defeat against Danka Kovinic, the World No. 72 went on to topple 13th seed Magda Linette and 20th Beatriz Haddad Maia to reach the last 16.
Although her campaign ended with a meek surrender to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek thereafter, Raducanu should be buoyed by her Indian Wells performance and will be keen to build on it.
Former World No. 4 Andreescu, too, has been trying to make her way back to the top echelons of the sport following her battle with injuries. The 2019 US Open champion has a 6-6 win-loss record for the year heading into the Miami Open, where she made the final in 2021.
The 22-year-old's best display of the season came at the Thailand Open. As the top seed and title favorite, Andreescu cruised into the semifinals before a shoulder injury forced her to retire.
Currently placed at the 31st spot in the world rankings, the Canadian is coming off a third-round exit from the BNP Paribas Open at the hands of top seed Iga Swiatek.
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu head-to-head
Andreescu has a 1-0 lead over Raducanu in their head-to-head. The Canadian earned the win as Raducanu suffered an injury and retired after trailing 6-2, 2-1 in Rome last year.
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu odds
(Odds sourced from BetMGM)
Emma Raducanu vs Bianca Andreescu prediction
With both women having had their careers ravaged by injuries, they still have enormous potential to achieve more. Their last meeting was truncated by yet another injury to Raducanu, depriving fans of a chance to watch what could have been a thrilling encounter.
Provided neither has any fitness issues, we could be in store for a blockbuster match in Miami. Raducanu should be encouraged by her Indian Wells run and would be eager to go all-out against Andreescu. Her smooth movement and fluid strokes make her a dangerous opponent to face on hardcourt.
However, Andreescu has the edge in terms of variety and tenacity. She managed to stretch Swiatek to a second-set tie-break during their Indian Wells face-off last week. If she can come up with that fighting spirit and belief against Raducanu, the Canadian has a good chance of progressing into the second round.
Pick: Bianca Andreescu to win in three sets.
