Day 8 of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Miami will see two men’s quarterfinal matches. One will feature two Top 10 players in Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud, while the other one will feature a rising young Jannik Sinner against the surprise package of this tournament: Francisco Cerundolo. Aside from Zverev, all other players are still looking for a maiden Masters 1000 title, and they will surely believe their chances with the Big 3 nowhere to be seen in Miami.
ATP Miami Day 8 Predictions
Alexander Zverev vs Casper Ruud
Head-to-head: Zverev 2-0 Ruud
Ruud keeps proving his detractors who call him “just a clay court player” wrong with consistent good runs on hard courts, but this will likely be too high a mountain to climb. The Norwegian faced Zverev twice last year on hard courts. He was easily outplayed and defeated on both occasions, looking completely outmatched. Ruud might be able to challenge Zverev on clay, but it’s very hard to imagine him having the weapons to do so on a hard court. It’d require a very off day on Zverev’s behalf, especially on serve.
Prediction: Zverev in 2
Jannik Sinner vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-head: first meeting
Sinner reached the final last year in Miami and he was favored to win it but couldn’t quite get it done. That still remains his only Masters 1000 final to date, but looking at his draw he has to feel confident of a repeat here. He’s extremely battle-tested. Sinner saved match points in two different matches in this tournament before beating Nick Kyrgios in much more straightforward fashion.
His opponent, Francisco Cerundolo, is absolutely the surprise package of this tournament. Cerundolo beat Tallon Griekspoor, Reilly Opelka, Gael Monfils, and Frances Tiafoe despite being a clear underdog every match. His big, accurate forehand has particularly impressed and Sinner would be wise not to underestimate him. Still, you have to figure this is probably as far as the Argentine goes, with Sinner currently being a solid step-up in terms of ability and consistency compared to his previous rivals.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
