Day 2 of play at the ATP Miami Open features 16 first-round matches. France’s Richard Gasquet will take on fellow one-hander Christopher O’Connell, while Chile’s Cristian Garin will eye another deep run on North American soil. Who do you think will come out on top?
ATP Miami Day 2 Predictions
Marcos Giron vs Cristian Garin
Head-to-head: Garin 2-0 Giron
Giron is unlikely to have his way in this match despite having a greater hard-court pedigree. Garin has got his mojo back since the start of the Sunshine Swing. The Chilean has been a pillar of consistency in the past week or so and has produced a strong qualifying campaign in Miami. A month ago, this matchup would have been on Giron’s racket. But the roles are likely to change.
Prediction: Garin in 3
Jaume Munar vs Aleksandar Kovacevic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Munar gave Yibing Wu a big scare in Indian Wells, pushing the Chinese man to a third-set tiebreaker a fortnight ago. The conditions and the bounce helped his cause there to extend that match for so long. But he is hardly going to have a great deal of success in Miami despite drawing a lucky loser.
Aleksandar Kovacevic is one of the early pacesetters on the Challenger Tour in 2023, winning a couple of titles already. He came to Miami on the back of a decent run in Phoenix where he defeated a seasoned Tour-level campaigner in Gasquet to make the quarterfinal. The American hasn’t won a main draw match on the ATP Tour, but he is poised to do so on Thursday.
Prediction: Kovacevic in 2
Jason Kubler vs Thiago Monteiro
Head-to-head: Kubler 1-0 Monteiro
Monteiro suffered a shock loss to Guido Pella in Indian Wells. On paper, that looked like a cushy opener for the Brazilian to get some much-needed confidence on hard courts. With that setback, it is tough to see him getting the better of Kubler in this one. The Aussie is marginally better in almost every department on this surface. He has a supremely efficient serve, and a more consistent approach shot and should win most of the baseline duels. This could turn out to be a frothy affair, but trust the Aussie to win.
Prediction: Kubler in 3
Richard Gasquet vs Christopher O’Connell
Head-to-head: first meeting
Richard Gasquet is squeezing the life out of his 36-year-old legs for another late-career push at Tour level. Having been overlooked in the past few years, he came full circle in Auckland where he won his first title since 2018 in January. The Frenchman’s level this season has generally been very good, notching wins over the players he is expected to beat. This one here in Miami should follow that pattern. O’Connell has gone off the boil in recent weeks and Gasquet will look to win the battle of the one-handers.
Prediction: Gasquet in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
