Day 1 of the ATP Miami Masters in Key Biscayne, Florida features some blockbuster matches. As always, we are here at LWOT to share our thoughts on all the matches with you. Who do you think will win on the opening day of men’s play in South Florida? We predict every match on the day. With 16 matches, we split them between four articles. The other three articles feature Brandon Nakashima vs Soonwoo Kwon, Richard Gasquet vs Thanasi Kokkinakis, and Maxime Cressy vs Emil Ruusuvuori.
ATP Miami Open Day 1 Predictions
Juncheng Shang vs Denis Kudla
Shang is just 17 years old, and he made waves when he qualified for Indian Wells two weeks ago. That earned him a wild card this week. However, Kudla is a solid player who will be able to handle what the young Chinese player can throw at him. Shang still needs time to adjust before competing at these levels, impressive ITF results notwithstanding.
Prediction: Kudla in 2
Henri Laaksonen vs Benoit Paire
Laaksonen had an impressive run of form for a bit last year, but he’s more or less at his usual level consistently now. Of course, that’s more than we can say for Benoit Paire. The very hit-or-miss Frenchman is still impressive when his game hits, but it’s missing far more often than not nowadays. That makes it hard to assume he’ll win any match.
Prediction: Laaksonen in 2
Oscar Otte vs Mitchell Krueger
The big-serving Otte gets to take on an American in Miami. Krueger hasn’t really done anything noteworthy of late, and Otte’s serve will be just fine on this surface.
Prediction: Otte in 2
Nick Kyrgios vs Adrian Mannarino
This match, without question, is the highlight of Day 1 at the ATP Miami Masters. Kyrgios is always a fan favorite–or if not actual favorite, at least must-see-TV. The Australian is also playing well, meltdown in Indian Wells last week notwithstanding. Mannarino is a solid player who will force Kyrgios to work for it, but I expect the Aussie’s big serve to power through in the end.
Prediction: Kyrgios in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
