Elisabetta Cocciaretto vs Naomi Osaka Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Miami

Prediction published on 19/03/2024, 08:45  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 20/03/2024 at 11:00 in Tennis Predictions

Naomi Osaka continues with her return to the WTA tour and will battle unseeded Elisabetta Cocciaretto next in Miami. The two will square off in the first round with the winner playing 15th seed Elina Svitolina next. Elisabetta Cocciaretto has never won a main draw match in her two previous appearances in Miami. She will hope the third time's a charm and her recent form will strengthen her belief. The Italian is coming off a title run in the Charleston Challenger. Cocciarretto was in dominant form in the competition and won every single round including the final in straight sets. The 23-year-old arrived in Charleston with a losing record but has now compiled a 10-7 account. Despite the success, she has tumbled down 10 places to 61st in the live ranking.

Naomi Osaka is gradually picking up her form after a poor start to the season. She has won four of her last six fixtures and has tied her record at 5-5. The former world number one is playing with a protected ranking after being away from the tour for close to two seasons. Her absence was due to the birth of her first child. The Japanese player produced a runner-up finish the last time she took part in this event. This was in 2022. A two-time WTA 1000 champion, Osaka has never lost a first-round tie in Miami. She has made the third round at the very least in her last three appearances. The 26-year-old is coming off a third-round exit at Indian Wells. Before that, she had made the quarterfinals in Doha. Her gradual upturn in form has also impacted her world ranking. She has now moved into the top 230 places after starting the season outside the top 800.