Match Details

Fixture: (WC) Taylor Townsend vs (WC) Jennifer Brady

Date: March 18, 2026

Tournament: Miami Open

Round: First Round (Round of 96)

Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, United States

Category: WTA 1000

Surface: Hard

Prize Money: $9,415,725

Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN

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Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady preview

Former US Open champion Sloane Stephens will square off against Jennifer Brady in the first round of the Miami Open 2026.

Stephens went on a hiatus in February 2025, and briefly tested the waters towards the end of the season with a couple of tournaments. She continued her comeback this year, starting with an appearance at the ASB Classic, where she lost in the first round.

Stephens successfully qualified for the Australian Open but lost to Karolina Pliskova in the first round. She received a wildcard to compete at Indian Wells, and lost in the first round yet again. She then headed to Austin to compete in a WTA 125 event and lost in the first qualifying round. She received a wildcard to participate in the Miami Open.

After being sidelined for more than two years, Brady returned to action at the ATX Open a few weeks ago. She was ousted in the first qualifying round. A wildcard entrant into the previous WTA 1000 at Indian Wells, she was sent packing by Antonia Ruzic in the first round. She was given a wildcard to compete in Miami as well.

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Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady head-to-head

This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.

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Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady odds

(Odds via BetMGM)

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Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady prediction

Both players are seeking to win a main draw match for the first time since their return to the tour. Stephens hasn’t won a main draw match since July 2024, when she won her first-round match at Wimbledon. Following her second-round exit from the grass court Major, she lost in the first round of her next five tournaments.

Stephens didn’t win a match in 2025 either, crashing out in the first round of four tournaments before she went on a hiatus. She’s currently on a 14-match losing streak at the main draw level. She’s a former Miami Open champion, winning the only WTA 1000 title of her career here in 2018. She has a 19-11 record at the tournament.

Brady’s recovery post a knee surgery took longer than expected but she’s finally back in action. However, with only a couple of matches under her belt, and a 0-3 record at the Miami Open, she may have to wait a little longer for a win. This could be Stephens’ best chance at snapping her losing skid.

Pick: Sloane Stephens to win in three sets.

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Sloane Stephens vs Jennifer Brady betting tips

Tip 1: The match will have at least 24 games.

Tip 2: Stephens to win at least one set with a score of 6-3.