The ATP Miami Open is the second leg of the prestigious Sunshine Double, following Indian Wells and boasts all the top players except Novak Djokovic. The top half of the draw will be played on Day 1, and as always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for every match on the slate. But which players will advance to the next round?
ATP Miami Day 1 Predictions
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Darwin Blanch
Head-to-Head: first meeting
Jan-Lennard Struff is going through a horrible patch of form, with just one tour-level win so far this season. It is fair to say that he has been on the decline since last season, and I don’t expect much from him this week. However, Darwin Blanch is ranked well outside the top 250 and has just one tour-level win to his name. The 18-year-old American will get the crowd’s support, and his big serve should keep the scoreline close.
Prediction: Struff in 3
Adrian Mannarino vs Zhizhen Zhang
Head-to-Head: Mannarino 0-1 Zhang
Since reaching the final in Montpellier, Adrian Mannarino has lost his way and is on a three-match losing streak at the tour-level. Mannarino played the challenger in Phoenix last week to get some form, but was eliminated in the quarterfinals. The Frenchman has played some good tennis in Miami in the past and will be hoping to show his best tennis. Zhizhen Zhang has struggled to find any rhythm on the ATP Tour since his comeback, but he will like his chances here against an out-of-form Mannarino. However, I am not ready yet to start backing the Chinese player.
Prediction: Mannarino in 3
Roberto Bautista Agut vs James Duckworth
Head-to-Head: Bautista Agut 0-1 Duckworth
Roberto Bautista Agut played some good tennis in Indian Wells, beating Fabian Marozsan and pushing Jack Draper to three sets. He is a former semifinalist at the Miami Open, and the conditions here should help him display good tennis. The Spaniard is past his prime, but he should be prepared for this battle as he has never defeated James Duckworth, who is going through a difficult period in his career.
Prediction: Bautista Agut in 3
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
