Round of 32 action continues on day six at the ATP Miami Open 2021. All the matches scheduled look likely to be highly entertaining and we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for all eight matches on the slate including Denis Shapovalov vs Hubert Hurkacz. But who will reach the last 16?
ATP Miami Open Day 6 Predictions
Aslan Karatsev vs Sebastian Korda
Head-t0-head: first meeting
This one is going to be a crazy match. Aslan Karatsev has continued to put up solid performances since the Australian Open 2021 winning in Dubai last week. The Russian’s aggressive baseline striking is able to penetrate anyone’s defences and Karatsev doesn’t seem to be missing a lot at the moment.
Sebastian Korda has impressed this week notching up two good wins and the American has been at his attacking best. Much like Karatsev, Korda likes to dictate points and his groundstrokes are pretty heavy. In a clash of heavy ball strikers, expect it to go the distance with Karatsev clinching it on the back of his slightly more consistent hitting.
Prediction: Karatsev in 3
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Ugo Humbert vs Milos Raonic
Head-t0-head: Raonic 1-0 Humbert
If their lone past meeting is anything to go by, we are in for an enthralling clash. Milos Raonic won their past meeting in a third set tiebreak with Ugo Humbert having his own chances to win the match. The conditions in Miami won’t mimic the indoor fast conditions of Paris but it should still be a tight clash.
Both players head into this match having played a solid opening match. The Canadian was at his serving best and so was the Frenchman. Humbert is a much better mover on court but Raonic offsets that with his first strike tennis. Very difficult to choose between the two but one feels as this match goes deep into the third set it’ll be advantage Raonic as his serve will yield him much more free points. Expect Raonic to pull through.
Prediction: Raonic in 3
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Marton Fucsovics vs Andrey Rublev
Head-t0-head: Rublev 3-1 Fucsovics
Sadly for Marton Fucsovics, his wish to not play Andrey Rublev anymore this year hasn’t come true. Rublev looked his solid self in his frist match here dispatching his opponent in two easy sets while the Hungarian was stretched to three sets.
Rublev looks to be in a very clear headspace with respect to how he wants to play his tennis and it has been serving him well so far this year. There are players in the Miami Open draw who can beat Rublev but Fucsovics isn’t one of them. Expect another scintillating performance from Rublev.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
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Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Kei Nishikori
Head-t0-head: Nishikori 1-0 Tsitsipas
First things first, it’s great to see Kei Nishikori back out on court and back to something approaching his best. The Japanese is one of the most exciting players to watch when in full flight and he’ll need to be otherwise Stefanos Tsitsipas will run away with the match.
From the baseline Nishikori has to be one attacking. The Greek will be content rallying from the baseline since he knows he can out rally Nishikori. The Japanese was stretched in his first round and his serve was broken four times. This suggests he’s not quite there yet. Expect Nishikori to have his moments but Tsitsipas looks too strong and consistent.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 2
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