2026 Miami Open Women’s Draw: Preview and Prediction Featuring Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff

The women’s singles draw for the 2026 Miami Open is officially out. Top seed Aryna Sabalenka leads the draw and the top half of the stack at the WTA 1000 event, but she’s likely to face Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals, which will be a rematch of the 2026 Indian Wells and Australian Open final.

Iga Swiatek leads the bottom half of the draw even though she’s currently ranked World No.3. The former World No.1 is in dire need of redemption at the event after failing to win a top 10 match this season. She has not gone beyond the quarter-finals of an event this year, and she needs a victory in Miami to return to the top 2 of the WTA rankings.

Tournament Details

• Defending Champion: Aryna Sabalenka
• Tournament: 2026 Miami Open
• Date: March 17- March 29
• No. of Entrants: 96 (Singles)
• Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
• Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
• Total Prize Money Pool: $9,415,725

Top seeds at the 2026 Miami Open:

• Aryna Sabalenka
• Iga Swiatek
• Elena Rybakina
• Coco Gauff
• Jessica Pegula
• Amanda Anisimova
• Jasmine Paolini
• Mirra Andreeva
• Elina Svitolina
• Victoria Mboko

First Quarter

Aryna Sabalenka could be the fourth woman since the Open Era to complete the Sunshine Doubles, which means consecutively winning the Indian Wells and Miami Open. She could also be the first player to attain this feat in singles and doubles, having accomplished the feat in doubles back in 2019.

She reigns supreme in the top half of the Miami Open draw and will kick off her title defense against Ann Li or a qualifier. The likes of Qinwen Zheng, Jasmine Paolini, and Madison Keys are in her part of the draw. The in-form Elina Svitolina is likely her quarter-finals opponent as she has reached the semi-finals of all the tournaments she has played in this season apart from the Doha Open.

Quarter-finals Prediction: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elina Svitolina

Second Quarter

Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula are projected to face each other for the third time this year. Rybakina has gotten the better of the American star twice already. Both players are in consistent form. Pegula won the Dubai Tennis Championships and made it to the semi-finals of the Brisbane International and Australian Open.

She’s last year’s runner-up, having lost to Sabalenka in the final. Nonetheless, a surprising outcome can happen this quarter as former champion Naomi Osaka and teenage star Iva Jovic are challengers. Additionally, Pegula could face Grand Slam champion and former World No.1 Venus Williams in the second round.

Quarter-finals Prediction: Elena Rybakina vs. Jessica Pegula

Third Quarter

Coco Gauff leads this quarter, which has been dubbed the “American quarter“. Gauff and Amanda Anisimova are the highest seeds in this part of the draw and are likely to face each other in the quarter-finals. Gauff’s participation is doubtful in the tournament as she suffered an arm injury at the Indian Wells Open.

Besides that, Linda Noskova, who reached the semi-finals of the Indian Wells is a big challenger here. Belinda Bencic, Maria Sakkari, and Elise Mertens are players to watch out for in this quarter. Bencic led Switzerland to the final of the United Cup, beating Gauff and Iga Swiatek in the process.

Quarter-finals Prediction: Amanda Anisimova vs. Coco Gauff

Fourth Quarter

Alexandra Eala finds herself in the same part of the draw as Iga Swiatek. The duo faced each other in the quarter-finals of this tournament 12 months ago, which Eala won. The two are projected to meet in the third round of the tournament. Eala, who has suffered demolition against top players this season, will be counting on Swiatek’s poor form.

Additionally, Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva are the two teenagers to watch out for in Florida. Mboko comes into this tournament in great form, having reached the final of two tournaments this year and the fourth round of the Australian Open. Meanwhile, Andreeva will hope to rebound in Miami after failing to defend the Indian Wells and Dubai Tennis Championships.

Quarter-finals Prediction: Victoria Mboko vs. Iga Swiatek

Semi-finals

Sabalenka is expected to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. Should she face Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals, it should be easy work for her, in an ideal environment. She has beaten the Ukrainian star in six of their last seven meetings. While Jessica Pegula will be seeking to earn her revenge against Elena Rybakina, the Kazakhstan star has better chance to prevail.

In the bottom half, Amanda Anisimova is expected to beat Coco Gauff, who has been struggling with her serve. Iga Swiatek has what it takes to overcome a resilient Victoria Mboko, but the former World No.1 just needs to be at her best to overcome the threat that the teenage star will pose.

Semi-finals Prediction:

• Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina
• Amanda Anisimova vs. Iga Swiatek

Final

The possible matchup between Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will be mind-blowing. The potential clash can be the third time the pair will face each other this season. So far, they have met 16 times, with Sabalenka holding a slim 9-7 lead in their head-to-head record on the court.

Anisimova has defeated Swiatek in their last two meetings since their 2025 Wimbledon Championship final. Swiatek won their first meeting at the All England Club 6-0, 6-0, but since then, Anisimova had been eager to beat the World No.3 any time they meet on the court.

Final Prediction: Elena Rybakina vs. Amanda Anisimova

Winner: Elena Rybakina

Also read: Daniil Medvedev Draws the Ultimate Comparison Between Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and the Big 3