Ashlyn Krueger may have missed her first WTA title of 2025 last month, with a final loss against Belinda Bencic in Abu Dhabi, but she’s got another chance to make it happen. In her latest campaign in Miami, the American has already got off to a great start and how! But there’s no time for ‘Baby Rybakina’ (nicknamed by fans due to similarity in appearance with the Kazakh star) to celebrate her first-ever top 10 career win. She’s got a long road ahead with the next opponent waiting in line. It’s Canada’s Leylah Fernandez who will lock horns with the 20-year-old on Saturday. So who’s got it this time?

Ashlyn Krueger v Leylah Fernandez: Preview

The American WTA pro has had a decent, if not fantastic, season so far. She began the journey with a QF run back in January at the Brisbane International before losing to Russia’s Polina Kudermetova. She performed similarly in Adelaide as well. Down under, she couldn’t leave a lasting impression as Australia’s Ajla Tomljanović beat her in the first round. However, Krueger bounced back strongly in her next event.

At the Abu Dhabi Open, she made it to the title clash and even snatched the first set against Swiss pro Belinda Bencic. But the latter emerged victorious, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Krueger then failed to shine in subsequent events in Qatar and Indian Wells. She crashed out in R64 in both the events. However, her form appears to be back as she’s on a two-match win streak in Miami.

She opened her campaign with a win against Mexico’s Renata Zarazúa before taking down Elena Rybakina in the second round, notching the first Top 10 win of her career. Prior to her Miami victory, Ashlyn Krueger had a stark 0-6 record against Top 10 opponents, failing to win a single set.

Speaking of Krueger’s third round opponent, Leylah Fernandez’s 2025 season has been quite average. Back in January, she was eliminated in R32 of the Adelaide International. Then at the Australian Open, the 22-year-old managed to reach the third round. However, Coco Gauff ended her campaign. In subsequent events (Abu Dhabi Open, Qatar Open, and Dubai Tennis Championships), Fernandez made it to the QF, R16, and R64, respectively.

Her last event was Indian Wells, where she failed to leave an impression after crashing out of R64. Ahead of her battle with Krueger, she’s coming off a first round victory against Alycia Parks.

Krueger v Fernandez: Head-to-Head

Both players have met each other three times in their careers. Currently, Ashlyn Krueger leads the h2h tally 2-1. In fact, she even beat Fernandez this season. During the Abu Dhabi Open last month, the American ousted her in the quarterfinal.

• 2025 Abu Dhabi Open QF: 7-5, 4-6, 6-2
• 2024 Canadian Open R32: Krueger 6-4, 6-2
• 2024 Eastbourne International R16: Fernandez 6-2, 6-1

Prediction: Ashlyn Krueger to win in straight sets

Ashlyn Krueger seems to have a slight edge over Leylah Fernandez. How?

The American has got a good singles record in 2025, at 12-8, compared to the Canadian’s 9-7. Speaking of event history, Krueger’s got a poor run in Miami so far. In the last three appearances (2022, 2023, 2024), she’s never gone past the R128. The latest campaign is proving to be an exception, in a good way, of course. Fernandez’s stats are not impressive either. In the last three Miami Open editions (2022, 2023, 2024), she failed to go past R64, R64, and R32 respectively.

When it comes to playing styles, Krueger possesses a powerful serve apart from her effective groundstrokes. Not to mention her strong forehand and the ability to hit deep, flat shots with ease. On the other hand, Fernandez has got speed. She’s known for her quick footwork in terms of court coverage, which can prove to be effective against Krueger. In short, the Canadian can play comfortably from baseline as well as close to the net in a counter-punching fashion.

Krueger’s recent form, coupled with her favorable head-to-head record against Fernandez, suggests she’s poised for victory. Having won their last two encounters, a straight-sets win for Krueger is widely anticipated.