WTA Miami Open 2021: Victoria Azarenka vs Ashleigh Barty- Preview, Head to Head and Prediction

Victoria Azarenka will take on Ashleigh Barty in the Fourth round of the Miami Open 2021. Azarenka is currently the World no.15 on the WTA rankings and Barty is the World no.1.

Match Details

• Tournament: WTA Miami Open 2021
• Match: Victoria Azarenka vs Ashleigh Barty
• Round: Fourth Round 
• Date: 29th March, 2021
• Prize Money: $40,000
• Venue: Miami, Florida 
• Surface: Outdoor Hard Court

Victoria Azarenka vs Ashleigh Barty: Preview

Azarenka is seeded fourteenth at this event, but when you watch her play you know she is a champion and seedings don’t tell the full picture. After an ordinary start to the year at the Australian Open, Azarenka bounced back into form at the Qatar Open. In the Quarterfinals of that event she beat top seed Elina Svitolina in straight sets 6-2 6-4, showing her class.

But after that she withdrew from the tournament due to a back injury. In the Miami Open so far she has won a first round bye, a second round walk over win, and a third round win. In the third round she beat German Angelique Kerber 7-5 6-2. Her fourth round opponent is top seed Ashleigh Barty.

Barty has been the no.1 ranked player in the world for a while now, but that was more down to frozen rankings than her own exploits on the tennis field. After a disappointing exit at the Quarterfinal stage of the Australian Open, Barty was dumped out of the Adelaide International in her very first match by American Danielle Collins.

In the Miami Open so far, she had a bye in the first round, then she earned a tough three set victory over Kristína Kučová in the second round. In the third round she beat Former French Open champion Jeļena Ostapenko 6-3 6-2. 

Watch: Angelique Kerber vs. Victoria Azarenka | 2021 Miami Open Round 3 | WTA Match Highlights

Victoria Azarenka vs Ashleigh Barty: Head-to-Head

This will be the third meeting between these two players on tour. The head to head till now is 1-1. The last meeting between these two players was at the 2019 Fed Cup that Barty won. 

Victoria Azarenka vs Ashleigh Barty: Prediction

Azarenka has won 21 WTA Titles, and barring one all the rest has come on hardcourts. A good serve, an aggressive game from the baseline, Azarenka’s game is built for the hardcourts. A three time former winner at the Miami Open Azarenka will look to go the distance this time.

Barty is a great tennis player, and can win against anyone on her day. But she looks slightly out of form right now, and not focused on the job at hand.

Match Prediction: Victoria Azarenka will beat Ashleigh Barty in three sets. 

Also Read: Miami Open 2021: Day 6-Osaka, Andreescu, Muguruza advance, Kenin and Pliskova ousted