Unlike the men’s field in Miami, the women can count on the cream of the crop without exceptions. Also, of note, the Miami Open will be counting with defending champion Ashleigh Barty. That’s good news for tournament organizers given the fact that Barty did not play for most of 2020 due to Coronavirus concerns. Let’s take a look at the top seeds and their chances at this year’s tournament.

#8 Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka still struggles at the big tournaments. For whatever reason, she has the ability to clean up at the smaller events, but when she gets to one of the big tournaments, she’s unable to reach the later rounds. At 1000 events, she’s done a little better, winning Dubai and Wuhan. However, at the most prestigious events such as Miami and Indian Wells, she’s fallen short Expect her to lose to a higher seed in this tournament. The trend will continue.

#7 Serena Williams
Serena is the second-best player in the world right now behind Naomi Osaka. If Osaka is not in her half of the draw, expect to see Serena in the Final. If she’s got Osaka in her half of the draw, the quarters or semis is as far as she will go.

#6 Karolina Pliskova
Pliskova was looking for Sascha Bajin to take her to the next level. They started working together around November of 2020. Unfortunately, for Pliskova, Bajin does not seem to be the boost she was looking for. Since they started working together, Pliskova has posted a string of early round exits. Expect another one in Miami.

#5 Elina Svitolina
Elina is another player that seems to be on a downward trajectory. Long gone are the days where we would see her deep in major tournaments. Lately, she’s looked more like a top 20 player than a top 5 player. I really think Elina needs a proper Clay Court season to get her confidence back. Miami will not be the confidence builder she needs though. She will exit early.

#4 Sofia Kenin
In a world where the top ten is struggling, Kenin is no outsider either. Although she reached the French Open Final, she’s had inconsistent results. I wouldn’t put her in the Pliskova/Svitolina category. However, Kenin needs to dig deep and start getting some results if she wants to remain with the top four players of the WTA.

#3 Simona Halep
Simona won’t give anything away. She won’t go down to a lesser player, and she’ll handle most of the WTA top 10. That being said, Simona has trouble with power hitters, and will struggle against the likes of Serena and Osaka. I expect Simona in the Semifinals.

#2 Naomi Osaka
If Osaka is on her game, she takes the title. There’s nothing more we need to say about the best player in women’s tennis right now. Although ranked number two in the world, she’s a big notch above everyone else, including Ash Barty.

#1 Ashleigh Barty
Barty has a ton of talent and is athletic and has tremendous touch. After a year away from the game, she reached the Australian Open semis. That’s a testament of how good she is. That being said, a player like Osaka or Williams can get through her. Barty goes home in the semis.