Miami Open 2021 Draw: Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep Head for Semifinal Clash, Naomi Osaka Gets an Easy Path

The Miami Open 2021 is getting down to business as it has unveiled the women’s main draw. It is the 36th edition of the tournament and has one of the most exciting main-draws to date.

Unfortunately, the 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has pulled out from the tournament due to oral surgery. However, the other Top 10 WTA players will begin their campaign to be the last one standing amongst the 128 contestants.

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Who are the Top 8 seeds in Miami Open 2021?

Australian World No. 1, and the defending champion of the tournament, Ashleigh Barty, is the top seed. Following her, Australian Open 2021 champion Naomi Osaka will play in Miami as the second seed.

The two-time Grand Slam winner, Simona Halep, is the third seed, whereas the Australian Open 2020 victor Sofia Kenin is fourth. Subsequently, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina and former World No. 1 Karolina Pliskova are the next two seeds.

Finally, the current doubles’ World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and the US Open 2019 winner Bianca Andreescu are the seventh and eighth seed.

It is clear that the Miami Open 2021 will play host to some of the greatest tennis battles in the coming two weeks.

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What are the interesting matches in Miami?

In case there are no upsets, fans are heading towards a blockbuster Barty-Osaka clash in the Miami Open final. But it would not be easy for either of them, as they will have to go through some strong adversaries.

Going by the seeds, the matchups will be as follows for the Australian ace: 3R – Victoria Azarenka, QF – Aryna Sabalenka, SF – Simona Halep.

Similarly, the projected challengers for the Japanese player are: 3R – Elise Mertens, QF – Karolina Pliskova, SF – Sofia Kenin/Bianca Andreescu.

One of the tight matches early on will be Halep vs the 17-year-old American Coco Gauff in the Round of 32. Among the list of probable quarterfinalists, the two-time Grand Slam champion Garbine Muguruza is the biggest contender.

The Australian Open finalist Jennifer Brady, Swiss Belinda Bencic, and French Open champion Iga Swiatek will be players to look out for.

Starting from March 22, 2021, the Miami Open will see its winner on April 4. Will Ashleigh Barty defend her title successfully in the magic city?

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