World number five Elina Svitolina might not have to too easy against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the 2021 Miami Open on Saturday, March 27. Get the live streaming options of this Elina Svitolina v Ekaterina Alexandrova match along with its preview, head to head, and tips here.
Looking to watch 2021 Miami Open live streaming online?
- For tennis fans in the UK, Europe, Australia & elsewhere go to bet365 > Tennis > Live Streaming here* to watch & bet on the ATP & WTA tennis live.
- Get all the other Miami Open 2021 live streaming options here
[the_ad id=”14063″]
*Advertisement. Geo-restrictions apply & pre-funded account needed
Elina Svitolina v Ekaterina Alexandrova Head to Head
There have been two previous meetings between these players and Svitolina has won both times. The first one, which came at the French Open last year, resulted in a straight-set win for Svitolina but it is the second match, held in Abu Dhabi earlier this year that should give Alexandrova some hope.
While the Russian that pre-quarterfinal, it wasn’t till it went into a third set tie-breaker where Svitolina needed a 10-8 to edge past her opponent.
Also Read:
Svitolina Digs Deep against Rogers
It was never expected to be an easy match and Svitolina probably knew she would have to dig deep into her reserves to kick start her campaign at the Miami Open. And that’s exactly what she did in the second round, overcoming the loss of the first set to win the encounter.
In a match lasting two and a half hours, Svitolina was in a spot of bother on a couple of occasions against Shelby Rogers but broke her opponent down steadily before clinching the encounter 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the third round – one better than she did the last time she played here.
Down a set, and then down a break twice in the second set, Svitolina came back to level the set on both the occasions and then had a chance to serve it out at 5-3. Unfortunately for her, she was broken again.
It was in the 12th game of the second set where Svitolina had four break-points – and hence set-points – that she finally made it a set apiece.
Rogers wasn’t done yet though as she broke Svitolina in the very first game but from there on it was the Ukrainian who held fort. She broke right back and then made it 4-2 with a second break of serve before serving it out with ease.
[the_ad id=”30344″]
Alexandrova Pummels Podoroska
Alexandrova has had her issues this season, struggling to go deep in tournaments, with a semifinal at the Gippsland Trophy being her best performance so far. She did make it to the third round at the Australian Open as well but the world number 34 would have hoped to do a lot better than what followed.
Since finishing at the year’s first Grand Slam, the Russian had won just one of the four matches she participated in coming into the Miami Open. And for someone who has won a WTA and WTA $125k title in each of the past three seasons, that wouldn’t have gone down too well.
Which is why a solid, 6-0, 6-4 drubbing of Nadia Podoroska in her second round match here, following a first round bye, would have given her some respite. Having earlier this season also tested Svitolina it looks likely she has the game to inch past her more pedigreed opponent but she would have to be at her best for that.
Svitolina v Alexandrova Prediction and Tip
This could be an evenly-fought contest that goes right down to the wire. A third set looks likely for this.
Tip: Three sets in the match: 6/4 (bet365)
[the_ad id=”30513″]
The 2021 Miami Open will be played from March 22 to April 4. You can watch & bet on these matches here. Get your latest premium tennis predictions here.
Be the first to comment