Predicted Winners in BOLD

[1] Serena Williams (USA) vs [27] Sabine Lisicki (GER) H2H – Lisicki did post a big win versus Serena at Wimbledon 2013. The German matches up reasonably well with Serena because her serve is strong enough to counterbalance some of Serena’s general serving edge.  Lisicki has played quite well in Miami as well.  Whatever case can be made for an upset, I am not picking in that direction.  Serena loves Miami and is playing strong tennis.  I think Serena wins this match in two fairly routine sets.

[3] Simona Halep (ROU) vs Sloane Stephens (USA) – Sloane has rebuilt some of her stature at Miami.  Stephens has not had a linear rise in tennis after her big arrival in 2013.  Fans and experts alike were too quick to both anoint and burry Stephens in the past 25 months.  Halep has been steady and a clear top tier player over the past 52 weeks.  At times, Halep’s nerves have gotten in the way of her play, but she is a top 5 player for a reason.  Unless Sloane really punishes Halep’s serves, Halep should be able to grind out an entertaining and close win.