On Thursday, Day 2 of ATP play, the bottom half of the 2023 Miami Open will play its first-round matchups. Can Dominic Thiem finally grab a much-needed win? Will the Austian be able to defeat Lorenzo Sonego?
ATP Miami Day 2 Predictions
Yosuke Watanuki vs Benoit Paire
Head-to-head: First meeting
This is going to be a fun one between a couple of qualifiers. Benoit Paire has recently taken a title at the Challenger in Puerto Vallarta and it seems like his serve hasn’t declined at all in the past couple of years. Now he’s going to face another player who’s made it through the first couple of matches in Yosuke Watanuki. On the courts in Miami, the Japanese simply has a lot more to offer with his ability to take the ball early and the pressure he manages to put on the opponent.
Prediction: Watanuki in 3
Christopher Eubanks vs Denis Kudla
Head-to-head: Eubanks 1-0
Christopher Eubanks came so close to a Top 100 debut, but he’ll still need one last push to get over the finish line. His run in Miami could grant him that as he also landed a very nice draw against Denis Kudla in the opening round. This one looks fairly close with the bigger serve of Eubanks coming up against the flat ball-striking of Kudla. As Eubanks has already had a couple of matches at this venue, he probably deserves to be the favorite here.
Prediction: Eubanks in 3
Federico Coria vs Jiri Lehecka
Head-to-head: Lehecka 1-0
Jiri Lehecka has only grabbed one win since blowing five match points against Andy Murray in Doha. Will this loss leave a long-lasting impact on the psyche of the young Czech? We’ll see, but for now it has to be said that the 21-year-old has only faced extremely tough opposition since then. Federico Coria should be a very good draw for him on hard courts, especially as the Argentinian usually struggles a lot aside from his favorite surface.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
Lorenzo Sonego vs Dominic Thiem
Head-to-head: 1-1
Dominic Thiem is just 1-8 for the season and the Austrian doesn’t really look like a player who’s going to contend for big titles soon. He’s facing Lorenzo Sonego now and while the Italian is also struggling for form, it’s still tough to ignore the decline Thiem’s forehand has experienced after his wrist injury. He needs wins at the moment, but getting one is far from a certainty here.
Prediction: Sonego in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
