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 top-ranked American Taylor Fritz vs Denis Shapovalov. 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
Andrey Rublev vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-Head: Rublev 1-0 Kecmanovic
After suffering a Round 2 exit in last year’s Miami Open, Andrey Rublev is looking to snag as many ranking points as possible this week. Miomir Kecmanovic, on the other hand, is defending a 2022 quarterfinal run. The Serbian had dropped three consecutive matches before this event but pulled out a solid three-set victory in Round 2 over Ugo Humbert. Kecmanovic will have his moments in this match, but Rublev’s power and consistency from the ground should win out.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Emil Ruusuvuori vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-Head: Ruusuvuori 1-0 Daniel
Emil Ruusuvuori and Taro Daniel pulled off Round 2 upsets to reach the third round in Miami. Ruusuvuori took down Roberto Bautista Agut. Daniel bested Alexander Zverev. These two are good hardcourt players and will battle forehand to forehand all match. I give the slight edge to Ruusuvuori as I trust his game to hold up in what I expect to be a long three-set battle.
Prediction: Ruusuvuori in 3
Jannik Sinner vs Grigor Dimitrov
Head-to-Head: Sinner 0-1 Dimitrov
Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov will bring fireworks to Grandstand Court when they square off on Sunday night in Miami. These two are some of the cleanest ball strikers on tour and will take advantage of the speed of the South Florida courts. Dimitrov will put up a fight, but I believe Sinner’s form and ball-striking ability off both wings will be too much in the end.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Taylor Fritz vs Denis Shapovalov
Head-to-Head: Fritz 3-5
Taylor Fritz and Denis Shapovalov are very familiar foes. They two have squared off eight times over the last five years, including a 6-4 6-4 victory for Fritz earlier this year in Acapulco. The American has been the much better player over the last 12 months, rising to World No. 5. Shapovalov, on the other hand, is currently ranked No. 30 in the world. He has struggled of late, winning just two of his last seven matches. I believe Fritz’s consistency and power from the baseline will lead him past the Canadian.
Prediction: Fritz in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
