The ATP Tour has made its annual trip down to Miami, Florida where it hosts the Masters 1000 Miami Open. Held at Hard Rock Stadium, this is always a very fun event for players and fans alike.
Round 1 is underway as the Americans try and defend their home turf. We here at LWOT are previewing all the matches, as always.
ATP Miami Open Day 2 Predictions
Lorenzo Musetti vs Alexei Popyrin
Head-to-Head: First tour meeting
Lorenzo Musetti and Alexei Popyrin will meet for the first time at the main draw tour level after squaring off four separate times in various Challenger and qualifying events. Musetti holds a 3-1 head-to-head record over Popyrin including a 6-2, 6-2 dismantling of the Aussie in last weeks Phoenix Open Challenger. Personally, I am a huge fan of Alexei Popyrin’s game. However, it is hard to pick against Musetti after he dominated the tempo of their match just last week. I like the Australian to fair a bit better this time around, but not enough to get the job done.
Prediction: Musetti in 3
Jo-Wilfred Tsonga vs Jordan Thompson
Head-to-Head: First tour meeting
Veteran Jo-Wilfred Tsonga was admitted into the draw with a protected ranking and will face off against Australian Jordan Thompson for the first time in his career. The 36-year-old Tsonga has played in eight matches this season after playing just 11 in 2020 and 2021. Though his 2022 record stands at 3-5, the Frenchman has given the likes of Felix Auger-Aliassime, Hubert Hurkacz, and Filip Krajinovic some tough matches. Is this the match where he gets over the hump? Unfortunately for Tsonga fans, I do not think so. Jordan Thompson will be able to grind out points and force Tsonga to stay out in the Florida sun for longer than he would like. I like the Australian to advance.
Prediction: Thompson in 2
Daniel Altmaier vs J.J. Wolf
Head-to-Head: First tour meeting
The two 23-year-olds, Daniel Altmaier and J.J. Wolf, will square off for the first time at the tour level in Round 1 at the Miami Open. Both guys come into this event having seen success at last weeks Phoenix Open Challenger. Altmaier made a finals run before being ousted by Denis Kudla while Wolf made it to the semis. The two have just 59 tour-level matches between them, so this will be a major opportunity for one of them to make their way into Round 2 at a Masters 1000 event. I favor the German, who has a compelling one-handed backhand that could give Wolf problems.
Prediction: Altmaier in 3
Marton Fucsovics vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-Head: First tour meeting
Marton Fucsovics and Marcos Giron will meet for the first time as they are both looking to make some noise at this Masters 1000 event. Marton Fucsovics of Hungary has had a relatively steady start to his 2022 season, but has dropped 15 ranking spots to world #55. American Marcos Giron currently holds his peak ranking of world #52. Giron has advanced deep into a few tournaments this season including a quarterfinal run at the 500 event in Acapulco. Both players are coming off of opening round defeats in Indian Wells and will be itching for a win here in Miami. I slightly favor the American, who should use crowd support to power his way through in the 3rd set.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
