The Miami Open approaches its second weekend on the brink of crowning its 2023 champions. On the ATP side, we have a formidable semifinal matchup when No. 4 seed Daniil Medvedev takes on No. 14 seed Karen Khachanov. These countrymen are strong hardcourt players, making this semifinal matchup very intriguing for the tennis world. But who will advance?
ATP Miami Semifinal Prediction
Daniil Medvedev vs Karen Khachanov
Head-to-Head: Medvedev 3-1 Khachanov
Medvedev has been on an absolute tear over the last six weeks. Since leaving Australia, the 27-year-old holds a 23-1 record with titles in Rotterdam, Doha, and Dubai. His only loss came at the hands of world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the BNP Paribas Open. Medvedev has yet to drop a set in Miami and has not been pushed to much trouble in South Florida. Khachanov has dropped just one set in Miami and tallied an impressive straight-set victory over No. 2 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in Round 4. This is his fourth career Masters 1000 semifinal appearance, and first since 2019.
Medvedev holds the 3-1 head-to-head record over his countryman, beating him earlier this year in Adelaide, 6-3 6-3. Medvedev was all over his counterpart from the jump in that match. He excels at making his opponents earn every service game victory, and that is what he did against Khachanov earlier this year. Khachanov held serve in just five of nine games and was under constant pressure from the backboard of Medvedev’s racquet. To break this mold, Khachanov will have to bring some variety to the court in Miami. Getting in baseline rallies with Medvedev is a losing proposition.
I expect Khachanov to come out aggressive in this match. Look for him to mix in some serve-and-volleys while keeping Medvedev from getting comfortable behind the baseline. However, Medvedev is in too good of form to allow these tactics to throw him off. Khachanov will test his elder, but Medvedev should advance to the Miami Open final with a straight-set victory.
Prediction: Medvedev in 2
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
