The seeded players on men’s side are making their way to the courts of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for Round 2 matches at this ATP Masters 1000 event. Perfect weather is on the horizon for day 4 action in the Sunshine State. Many of the sport’s best will be in action, including #7 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Miomir Kecmanovic.
ATP Miami Day 4 Predictions
Karen Khachanov vs Tommy Paul
Head-to-Head: First meeting
#23 seed Karen Khachanov will take on American Tommy Paul in Round 2 at the Miami Open. It will be the first meeting between the two. Paul picked up his first career win in Miami with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Benjamin Bonzi in Round 1. Paul is playing some inspiring tennis this season having won at least two matches in 5 of the 6 tournaments he has competed in. Khachanov, who started off the season in fine form, is looking to bounce back after a 0-6, 3-6 loss in Round 2 at Indian Wells. The deciding factor in this match will be first-serve percentage. When Khachanov has found the mark with at least 70 percent of his first serves, he is 5-1 this season. I do, however, think Paul will put a ton of pressure on the #23 seed with his aggressive returning style. I favor the American to continue his career best season with a win.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Marton Fucsovics vs Carlos Alcaraz
Head-to-Head: Alcaraz leads 1-0
18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz continues to set the tennis world on fire after a run to the semifinals last week in Indian Wells. He currently holds a career high ranking of #16 while looking to take advantage of another Masters 1000 event. His opponent, Marton Fucsovics, was on a bit of a skid before picking up a 6-3, 6-4 Round 1 victory over Marcos Giron. It is hard to pick against the young Spaniard in any match he competes in. Alcaraz is currently playing some of the best tennis in the world with a 12-2 record this season. His only losses were heartbreakers against Matteo Berrettini and Rafael Nadal. I like Alcaraz to win this match and play deep into the draw in Miami.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Daniel Evans vs Yoshihito Nishioka
Head-to-Head: Nishioka leads 3-0
Dan Evans is looking to string together some tour victories, having won just two of his last six matches. He takes on Yoshihito Nishioka, who he has yet to beat in three tries. All three of their meetings came on outdoor hard courts. The aforementioned Nishioka worked his way through qualifying before taking out fellow qualifier Emilio Gomez in a Round 1 three-setter. Nishioka has been winning a lot of Challenger and qualifying matches this season, but has struggled with the main draw tour level bouts. I think that once again comes to pass in Miami against the experienced Evans. The Brit should be dialed into this one, looking to turn around his early season struggles.
Prediction: Evans in 2
Felix Auger-Aliassime vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-Head: Kecmanovic leads 1-0
#7 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime takes on Miomir Kecmanovic in what has a chance to be the match of the day on the ATP side in Miami. FAA lost his first match at Indian Wells, but had won 13 of his previous 15 before that. Kecmanovic is playing some of the best tennis of his career having won 11 of his last 14 matches, including a run to the Indian Wells quarterfinals. Something has to give here in this Round 2 bout. I favor Auger-Aliassime, who is looking to make that next jump up into the world’s top-5. Kecmanovic will give the Canadian all he can handle, but Felix is just too tough.
Prediction: Auger-Aliassime in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
