Miami Open 2021: Sloane Stephens vs Amanda Anisimova Preview, Head-to-Head and Prediction
Follow Us
The first WTA 1000 series tournament is here with the Miami Open 2021. The second round brings some exciting clashes. On American soil, there will now be an all-American second-round clash between Sloane Stephens and Amanda Anisimova.
Sloane Stephens’ worrying form coming into Miami Open 2021
Both Stephens and Anisimova have had a tough start to 2021. Anisimova got tangled with COVID-19 restrictions in Abu Dhabi and thus missed the Australian Open. Whereas Stephens has now only won one match in her last six matches.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Stephens is a former champion in Miami back in 2018. 2017-2018 was when Stephens hit her strides with various titles including a Grand Slam title victory. But since then she has slipped in form.
Trending
What Does Danielle Collins’ Boyfriend Do? Everything to Know about Their Lowkey Relationship
February 15, 2024 11:39 AM EST
Miami Open 2024: Prize Money Breakdown, Winner’s Pay-check, and More
March 20, 2024 07:58 AM EDT
‘Federer Would Be Fun’ – Novak Djokovic’s Abrupt Coaching Split Prompts Fans To Make A Desperate Plea
March 27, 2024 06:32 PM EDT
Miami Open 2024: Alexander Zverev vs Fabian Marozsan; Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction
March 28, 2024 08:32 AM EDT
Why Does Nicolas Jarry Wear a Nasal Strip? All You Need to Know About the Chilean’s Respiratory Issues
March 27, 2024 03:00 PM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
She was once ranked 3rd, and now she is 49th. What is more shocking is that, before coming to Miami, Stephens had won just a single set. In the first three months of 2021, Stephens has shown little of an improvement in her dreadful form.
Anisimova on the other hand still holds a lot of promise and positivity around her. She is only 19 years old and is ranked 32nd in the world. She had been unlucky for the Australian Open 2021. Amanda was a day late and thus missed the flight to Melbourne.
Despite the Aussie Open hiccup, Anisimova has looked decent elsewhere. She is still a bit rusty on the tour as she has only played a few matches in the past year. Her last match was against Garbine Muguruza at Dubai Tennis Championships which she lost.
— Amanda Anisimova (@AnisimovaAmanda) March 19, 2021
Head-to-Head
This will be the first meeting between Sloane Stephens and Amanda Anisimova.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Amanda Anisimova to start as favorite against Sloane Stephens at Miami Open 2021
First off, Amanda Anisimova has a serious chance of troubling Stephens from the baseline. The 19-year-old is very strong off the baseline. Her strokes have power and depth, which will be hard for Sloane to defend.
Had this been the Stephens of 2017, she would have packed a punch with her athleticism and hand-eye coordination. But Stephens has lost a little of her strengths and now is vulnerable to players with aggressive groundstrokes. So Amanda could trouble her.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
One thing that Stephens might use is Amanda’s weak movement. She is not a good defender and thus struggles if the opponent is in control. If Stephens gets a good head start in the match, then Amanda Anisimova could be passed. But given the current form, Anisimova is a favorite.
Prediction: Amanda Anisimova to win in straight sets