Miami Open Preview: Predictions and Best Bets for March 22 Matches

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Open, showcasing some of the world’s best tennis talent, is in full swing as players gear up for crucial matches on Saturday, March 22. This second stage of the Sunshine Double follows the BNP Paribas Open, where Mirra Andreeva and Jack Draper claimed victory. As the competition intensifies at this 1000-level event, the stakes are high for famed players vying for back-to-back titles.

Among the anticipated matchups, Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur is set to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Despite Paolini’s recent success in winning three of her last four matches, her hold percentage reflects a drop from last season, creating skepticism about her performance against the tenacious Jabeur. “Jabeur’s low-bouncing slice is especially effective here, and she’s strong at testing opponent’s movement,” an analyst noted. Jabeur, who has shown solid serve performance previously, is expected to win if she returns to that form.

Betting odds lean towards Jabeur with a moneyline of -138, a bet of 1.5 units recommended. In another closely watched match, Australian Alexei Popyrin, recently parting ways with his coach, will take on Russia’s Roman Safiullin. Popyrin’s previous title-winning experience on faster hard courts positions him as the favored contender if he can maintain mental focus.

The odds reflect this situation with a moneyline of -118 for Popyrin, indicating he may have the edge given his reliable serve compared to Safiullin’s hits-and-misses on service games. In the women’s draw, Czech player Linda Fruhvirtova faces off against Magda Linette of Poland. Fruhvirtova, coming off a significant victory over a seeded opponent, looks to continue her form against Linette, who has shown vulnerability in this season.

Linette is favored with odds of -149 for her matchup against Fruhvirtova, whose youthful exuberance could yield surprising results. On the men’s side, Jack Draper, a rising star, will meet Jakub Mensik in a well-predicted matchup. Dimers’ tennis model gives Draper a 66% chance of victory based on recent simulations, with Mensik facing a difficult challenge.

The odds reflect this with Draper at -400 and Mensik as high as +300. Other matches to watch include Qinwen Zheng against Taylor Townsend, a match projected for an 81% win probability for Zheng, as she has been performing consistently well leading into this tournament. Both matches stand to significantly impact the overall progression of the tournament.

As fans look forward to these high-stakes encounters, betting insights serve as a guide for potential outcomes across pivotal matches. With unexpected twists and competitive matchups, the Miami Open promises to deliver thrilling tennis and significant betting opportunities.