Miami Open 2022, Day 3: Women's singles schedule and predictions, including Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber

The schedule for Day 3 of the Miami Open was recently released and 32 women will be in action at Hardrock Stadium on thursday, including the likes of Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka and Simona Halep.

Top-half action will take place on Day 3 across eight courts, starting at 11 a.m. local time (8:30 pm IST, 3 pm GMT)

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the key women's singles matches on Day 3 of the 2022 Miami Open.

#1. Naomi Osaka vs Angelique Kerber

Naomi Osaka won her first-round match against Astra Sharma

The two former World No. 1s will lock horns in what is arguably the most high-profile match on Day 3. Osaka reached the second round after defeating Astra Sharma in straight sets.

This will be the sixth meeting between Osaka and Kerber, with the German leading the head-to-head 4-1. Neither player has been in the best of form lately, but Kerber will enter the match as the favorite. Kerber's counterpunching game will likely overwhelm Osaka and earn her a spot in the third round.

Predicted winner: Angelique Kerber

#2 Aryna Sabalenka vs Irina-Camelia Begu

Top seed Aryna Sabalenka will face Irina-Camelia Begu in the second round. The Belarusian is a top player but she is yet to have an impressive run in a tournament this year. Begu, on the other hand, has had a few good runs, including at the Melbourne Summer Set and the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy. The two players have never played each other before, so their head-to-head is 0-0.

Despite Sabalenka's unpredictability, she is favored to win the match.

Predicted winner: Aryna Sabalenka

#3 Anett Kontaveit vs Ann Li

Third seed Anett Kontaveit will take on Ann Li in the second round at Miami. Ann Li beat Mayar Sherif in the first round to set up a clash with the Estonian. This is the very first meeting between the two.

Kontaveit has had some good runs this year, winning the St. Petersburg Ladies trophy while reaching the final of the Qatar Open. She will be heavily favored to beat Li, who has won six out of 11 main draw matches so far this season.

Predicted winner: Anett Kontaveit

#4 Simona Halep vs Daria Saville

Simona Halep may be seeded 23rd but she is a far better player than her ranking suggests. The Romanian had an incredible run to the semifinals of the Indian Wells Open last week and posed a threat to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in a tight three-set loss.

Halep has been in pretty good form this year and should be able to get the better of Saville in their second-round clash. This will be the fifth match between Halep and Saville, with Halep leading the head-to-head 3-1.

Predicted winner: Simona Halep

#5 Emma Raducanu vs Katerina Siniakova

Following a third-round exit at Indian Wells, Raducanu will look to have a good run in Miami. The Brit is a fine young talent who will only get better with time. She may not be a heavy favorite to win the Miami Open given her recent form, but she should be able to defeat Siniakova in the second round.

Predicted winner: Emma Raducanu

#6 Karolina Pliskova vs Anna Kalinskaya

After missing the first few months due to injury, Pliskova suffered a disappointing first-round exit at Indian Wells. The Czech will look to bounce back in the Miami Open. Pliskova has been given a fairly favorable draw and will enter the match against Kalinskaya as the firm favorite.

Kalinskaya made it to the main draw by qualifying and earned a hard-fought win in the first round.

Predicted winner: Karolina Pliskova

#7 Ons Jabeur vs Magda Linette

After a quarter-final run in Sydney, Dubai and Doha, Ons Jabeur will look to do well in the Miami Open. Jabeur's opponent in the second round is Magda Linette, who has won only three out of eight matches in 2022 so far. The World No. 10 will be heavily favored to win this encounter.

Predicted winner: Ons Jabeur

#8 Danielle Collins vs Anna Bondar

Australian Open runner-up Danielle Collins will start her campaign in Miami against Anna Bondar in the second round. The latter has made a slow start to the season but has also produced some decent performances

If Collins is at her best fitness-wise, she should have little trouble beating Bondar.

Predicted winner: Danielle Collins

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Also Check Out: Miami Open 2022 Results