The ATP Masters 1000 action continues to come thick and fast in March, this time in Miami, Florida. Tuesday saw the WTA matches begin at the Miami Open. The first ATP contests commence at the event on a very busy Wednesday, with four of these predicted in this article. As always, we at LWOT predict all the other ATP matches taking place. We have three other articles, featuring Denis Shapovalov vs Luciano Darderi, Arthur Fils vs Matteo Arnaldi, and Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini. But which players do you think will win?
ATP Miami Day 1 Predictions
Alex Michelsen vs Lukas Klein
Head-to-head: First meeting
Michelsen was beaten comfortably in the second round in Indian Wells but 2024 has been a very good season so far for the 19-year-old. The American has won his opening round match at the last five events he has played and is improving quickly. However, Klein is also enjoying a strong 2024. He reached the third round of the Australian Open, almost beating Alexander Zverev and beat Dubai finalist Jakub Mensik in Miami qualifying. I think the powerful Michelsen has the edge in home conditions that should suit him well but do not be surprised if this is close.
Prediction: Michelsen in 3
Pavel Kotov vs Luca Van Assche
Head-to-head: First meeting
Kotov’s form has dipped in his last few tournaments after a promising start to the season. Van Assche’s level also dropped after making a maiden Grand slam third round at the Australian Open, where he was stopped by 2023 runner-up in Melbourne Stefanos Tsitsipas. But Van Assche built some momentum by reaching the semifinal of the Challenger 175 event in Phoenix last week. I think the 19-year-old Frenchman has the ability to frustrate the powerful Kotov in the relatively slow Miami conditions, whose recent inconsistency may plague him against a player with Van Assche’s style.
Prediction: Van Assche in 3
Christopher O’Connell vs Vit Kopriva
Head-to-head: O’Connell 1-1 Kopriva
O’Connell’s season has followed a consistent pattern. He has only failed to win his opening round match on one occasion, but the Australian has only gone past the subsequent round once. I struggle to see Kopriva disrupting that pattern. The Czech qualifier has made huge progress in the last 12 months, including qualifying for a Grand Slam main draw for the first time at this year’s Australian Open. But Kopriva still plays his best tennis on clay and he is unlikely to have enough to overcome O’Connell on a hard court.
Prediction: O’Connell in 2
Jack Draper vs Taro Daniel
Head-to-head: First meeting
Last year’s Sofia Open runner-up Draper lost in the opening round in Indian Wells to O’Connell last week but his 2024 has been impressive overall. Daniel has struggled for wins since a surprise run to the final in Auckland in January, although he did win his opening round in Indian Wells. The slow hard courts of Miami suit Daniel’s game and he reached the third round of this event last year. Draper’s game is better at its best, but Daniel’s excellent backhand could effectively stifle Draper’s big lefty forehand in the Miami conditions and cause an upset.
Prediction: Daniel in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
