ORDER OF PLAY:

STADIUM

Play starts at 1pm

[12] Ashleigh BARTY (AUS) v [5] Karolina PLISKOVA (CZE)

MATCH POINTS

The first 13 events of the 2019 season have all been won by different players - the first time this has ever happened. If Barty emerges victorious, this run continues; if Pliskova wins, it is broken, as she was the champion in Brisbane back in January, beating Lesia Tsurenko in the final.

LOOK: Vive le difference! 13 titles, 13 winners in 2019 so far

Barty and Pliskova have met four times before, both enjoying equal wins. Both have one win apiece on hard courts and one win apiece on grass. Pliskova won their most recent encounter, in the US Open Round of 16 in 2018, coming through 6-4, 6-4.

LOOK: Barty triumphes over Kontaveit

Both players are experiencing their best runs at the Miami Open, while Pliskova is the first Czech player ever to reach the final in Miami. Compatriot Jana Novotna made the last four in 1995 and 1997. Pliskova previously made the semifinal in 2017, losing to Caroline Wozniacki.

Barty, playing in her third campaign in Miami, reached the last 16 last year, losing to fourth seed Elina Svitolina in straight sets.

Pliskova, a former World No.1, is guaranteed to return to No.4 after the conclusion of this week, while victory on Saturday would lift her to No.2. She has reached at least the last eight in all five tournaments she has competed in this year.

Barty will rise to a career high No.9. In doing so, Barty becomes the first Australian in the top 10 since Samantha Stosur, in June 2013.

Barty is competing in her career-first Premier Mandatory final, and is chasing her fourth career title overall, while Pliskova is after her 13th.

Both players have already reached finals in 2019, Barty losing in Sydney while Pliskova won in Brisbane.

The last five Miami finals have been won in straight sets.

LOOK: Story of the semifinal - Pliskova pushes past Halep

The weather forecast for Miami on Saturday is bright sunshine, with scattered showers.