The remaining WTA Miami Round of 32 matches will be played on Sunday. Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, Madison Keys, and Ekaterina Alexandrova’s contests are predicted in this article. The other action, including Aryna Sabalenka vs Caty McNally, is covered in a separate article.
WTA Miami Day 6 Predictions
Ekaterina Alexandrova vs Jaqueline Cristian
Head-to-head: Alexandrova 1-1 Cristian
Cristian is a dogged player and could frustrate the hard-hitting Alexandrova. However, her defensive skills are best-suited to clay. On a hard court, I feel it will be harder for Cristian to stay in the rallies consistently, which will likely prove decisive against a powerful opponent.
Prediction: Alexandrova in 2
Elena Rybakina vs Marta Kostyuk
Head-to-head: Rybakina 4-1 Kostyuk
Kostyuk generally struggles against higher-ranked opponents who strike the ball more powerfully than her. The Ukrainian is not naturally adept at using the pace against opponents who consistently hit hard from the baseline. Against an opponent as good and as in-form as Rybakina, an upset seems very unlikely.
Prediction: Rybakina in 2
Madison Keys vs Qinwen Zheng
Head-to-head: Keys 1-0 Zheng
Zheng comfortably defeated Sloane Stephens in the previous round. While a good victory, the former US Open champion is nowhere near her prime anymore. Keys will be a better test of Zheng’s level since returning from a severe injury. The Olympic Gold Medalist’s talent means she can compete against anyone at her best, but I’m not convinced she is ready to beat someone like Keys after patchy results since coming back from the injury.
Prediction: Keys in 3
Jessica Pegula vs Leylah Fernandez
Head-to-head: Pegula 2-1 Fernandez
The last two matches between these two have been very close. Pegula won in a final-set tiebreak at the Cincinnati Open before Fernandez triumphed 6-3 1-6 7-5 in Washington. Despite that background, last year’s runner-up is backed to prevail more comfortably this time. The conditions perfectly suit her game, and Fernandez has made a mostly unconvincing start to 2026.
Prediction: Pegula in 2
Main Photo Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images