World No. 1 Naomi Osaka will commence her campaign in the 2019 Miami Open; to face the Belgian Yanina Wickmayer in the first round. The match will be played on Friday, March 22 and will start at 12:00 pm local time (4:00 pm BST). Get Naomi Osaka v Yanina Wickmayer live streaming options here.
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Naomi Osaka v Yanina Wickmayer Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between the two ladies.
Wickmayer Starts with a Good Win
The 29-year-old Belgian hasn’t had the best starts to the season this year, at least on the WTA Tour. Her first-round win in Miami against Sachia Vickery is the first time this year that she has made it to the second round of a WTA event.
She has spent most of her time playing in the ITF and 125K Series events with little success. For instance, in the ITF event in Shrewsbury, she was the runner-up – and that has been her sole highlight of the year. In Indian Wells, she lost in the qualifiers and incurred an early defeat in Guadalajara the following week.
She is currently ranked in the 100s and is clearly not among the most consistent players on the circuit. The last time she had a formidable run of any sorts was in Wimbledon last year when she reached the third round.
Osaka to Defend her No. 1 Ranking
There is a lot at stake for the young Japanese here. In Indian Wells, her performance was rather average and she made it as far as the fourth round, where she lost to Belinda Bencic. After failing to defend her title there, the No. 1 ranking on the WTA Tour is in play once again, with the likes of Petra Kvitova, Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, and Elina Svitolina eyeing the spot.
Another thing to consider here is that Osaka’s record in Miami isn’t that great. Over the last couple of years, she has not made it past the second round here.
Despite her back to back Grand Slam wins on the tour, a slip in the form here will take her off the top. However, being just 21 years of age, she has truly played some exceptional tennis over the last season or so. Having battled past so many experienced players already, she has the confidence to excel in Miami too.
Naomi Osaka v Yanina Wickmayer Predictions & Tips
On one hand, Wickmayer is fairly more experienced than Osaka. On the other hand, she lacks the momentum and form required to take on the World No. 1. Osaka will start here as the favourite.
Tip: Osaka to win in straight sets: 8/13 (bet365)
You can watch & bet on Naomi Osaka v Yanina Wickmayer on Friday, March 22 here .
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