The first weekend of the ATP Miami Open is upon us as the best players in the world have gathered in South Florida looking to win one of the most prestigious events on the Tour calendar. Day five features high-level third-round ATP matches, including World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic. As always, we at LWOT have the preview and prediction for that match and all other happenings on the courts of Miami. But who will advance?
ATP Miami Day 5 Predictions
Casper Ruud vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head-to-Head: Ruud 1-2 van de Zandschulp
World No. 3 Casper Ruud faces a tough Round 3 test against No. 26 seed Botic van de Zandschulp. The Dutchman has gotten the better of Ruud in two of their three meetings. Ruud has gotten off to an inauspicious start to the season but has always loved the courts of Miami. His 6-2 6-3 Round 1 victory over Ilya Ivashka was promising and should be a solid confidence booster as he continues through the draw.
Prediction: Ruud in 3
Tommy Paul vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-Head: Paul 1-0 Davidovich Fokina
Tommy Paul bested Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a five-set thriller earlier this year in Melbourne. The 25-year-old American is playing some of the best tennis of his career and has proven he can beat anyone in the sport. ADF is also playing great tennis, coming off a run to the Indian Wells quarterfinals. In what I expect to be a very close and exciting match, I give the slight edge to the American due to his newfound serving prowess.
Prediction: Paul in 3
Holger Rune vs Diego Schwartzman
Head-to-Head: first meeting
The start of the 2023 season has been a disaster for Diego Schwartzman. The 30-year-old Argentine is just 3-8 this year. His Round 2 win over Yibing Wu was impressive, but playing against No. 9 seed Holger Rune is an entirely different challenge. Rune should be able to bully Schwartzman around the court and take this in straight sets.
Prediction: Rune in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic
Head-to-Head: Alcaraz 3-0 Lajovic
Wonderkid Carlos Alcaraz has been impossible to beat this year. That is not hyperbole. The 19-year-old Spaniard is 15-1 on the year and has not dropped a set in his last seven matches. Veteran Serbian Dusan Lajovic felt the wrath of Alcaraz earlier this year when the Spaniard bested him 6-4 6-2 in Buenos Aires and 6-4 7-6 in Rio. I see another straight-set victory for Alcaraz.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
