WTA Miami Winner Odds and Preview
Straight after Indian Wells, it is on to Miami for the second Premier mandatory event of the year. There was a surprise victory at the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) over the weekend as Japan’s Naomi Osaka took the title over Daria Kasatkina. Osaka had taken out top seed Simona Halep in her semi-final and Ksatkina upset the books as well in beating out Venus Williams in her semi-final. That was after getting past Angelique Kerber along the way along the way, as well as other former Slam champions in Sloane Stephens and Caroline Wozniacki.
Osaka opens in Miami against Serena Williams in a blockbuster first-round showdown. Williams did play in Indian Wells but was ousted by her sister Venus in the quarter finals. Williams is unseeded because of her time away for having her baby, and Victoria Azarenka is in there as a wildcard like Serena Williams as well. Williams goes in the third quarter which could set up a tough clash against Elina Svitolina in the second round if she sees off Osaka.
Williams, who has won Miami eight times before in her career, probably needs another couple of tournaments to get back to the top of her game, which is understandable and is 14/1 odds* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:24 p.m.) at Ladbrokes to win this. The third quarter also houses Jelena Ostapenko Petra Kvitova, Daria Kasatkina and Kristina Mladenovic so there’s no easy path from that quarter for anyone.
Australian Open champ Carolina Wozniacki (last year’s Miami runner-up) is the second seed and down in the fourth section with a much easier draw. That along with her current good form this season leaves her at 10/1 odds with Ladbrokes* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:24 p.m.). She could meet Jo Konta in the quarters, but the Brit hasn’t brought her game this season. She is the reigning champion here though.
Simona Halep, who is the outright favourite, will be glad to avoid all of that congestion in the bottom half of the draw as she is the top seed and looks pretty much a lock for the quarters. She will be pumped up after that shock loss against Osaka at Indian Wells last week with the title beckoning. Karolina Pliskova, who looked better last week than she has done all season could be a quarter-final opponent for Halep. The second quarter houses Angelique Kerber, Garbine Muguruza and Caroline Garcia as the main threats.
Prediction
It’s a mammoth draw and fascinating clash ups waiting wherever you look. The WTA is immensely competitive at the moment. Based on the draw, Simona Halep is going to be the one to ride this week, while Angelique Kerber at 8/1 odds with Ladbrokes* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:24 p.m.) is a good each way shot behind her and looks a great option for a quarter-final berth at least. The bottom half of the draw is an absolute minefield for everyone there, no-one is getting out lightly. Of the main contenders, Wozniacki probably could edge in terms of an easier draw.
WTA Miami Winner Odds
Simona Halep 15/2, Angelique Kerber 8/1, Caroline Wozniacki 10/1, Elina Svitolina 10/1, Daria Kasatkina 12/1, Garbine Muguruza 12/1, Petra Kvitova 14/1, Serena Williams 14/1, Karolina Pliskova 16/1, Naomi Osaka 20/1, Venus Williams 22/1, Johanna Konta 25/1, Madison Keys 25/1, 33/1 bar* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:24 p.m.)
ATP Miami Winner Odds & Preview
Well, Roger Federer is human after all. He had his perfect 2018 snapped on the weekend when he lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the final of Indian Wells. Those are the two heading up the ATP Miami market at Unibet this week as well, the only two players in single fixtures actually heading into the event. Excitingly they have been drawn in the opposite halves of the Miami draw too.
Federer blew three match points to win Indian Wells before being unable to stop Delpo’s comeback and the two could be back across the net from each other in the final of Miami. Federer is the 5/4 outright favourite* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:27 p.m.) at Unibet to win this one with Delpo at 3/1 odds* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:27 p.m.).
It’s probably not worth looking past those. You can skip Federer ahead to the quarters where there could be a tricky challenge from someone like Alexander Zverev, Kyle Edmund or Tomas Berdych. Del Potro has only been past the round of sixteen once before in Miami and after his exhaustive efforts last week, it may be a big ask for him to double up. He has a much tougher draw to get through, including a potential showdown against Novak Djokovic at the round of sixteen.
It may well be worth opposing Del Porto getting to the final with Marin Cilic. The Croatian went home earlier from Indian Wells so has had plenty of prep and rest time ahead of this. He is the one most likely to pull through and get somewhere close to challenging Federer in the final if the Swiss master awaits. At 20/1 each way odds at Unibet* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:27 p.m.) Cilic is a big appealing bet this week on the ATP.
Roger Federer 5/4, Juan Martin Del Potro 3/1, Novak Djokovic 13/1, Grigor Dimitrov 178/1, David Goffin 20/1, Marin Cilic 20/1, Hyeon Chung 25/1, Kevin Anderson 25/1, 30/1 bar* (betting odds taken on March 19th, 2018 at 10:24 p.m.)
Predictions
Federer will have been in a reflective mood after losing to Delpo on the weekend and uncharacteristic wasting of three match points. He’s a perfectionist and will want more in Miami and he’s well worth backing to get into the winner’s circle. With Djokovic still working his way back, Dimitrov disappointing last week, and Del Potro not having any form at this event, Cilic is great value.
