The ATP Tour has made its annual trip down to Miami, Florida, where it hosts the Masters 1000 Miami Open. Held at Hard Rock Stadium, this is always a very fun event for players and fans alike.
Round 1 is underway as the Americans try and defend their home turf. We here at LWOT are previewing all the matches, as always.
ATP Miami Open Day 2 Predictions
Tommy Paul vs Benjamin Bonzi
Head-to-Head: Paul leads 1-0
Tommy Paul leads the head-to-head in this matchup after besting Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets earlier this year in Adelaide. Both players are currently in great form and are holding their top world ranking of their careers. Paul sits at world #37, Bonzi at #59. I like the American to add on to his winning ways of 2022 with a straight set victory over the Frenchman. Paul has yet to make it out of Round 1 here in his current home of Miami, though, that should change here on Day 2.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Jack Sock vs Miomir Kecmanovic
Head-to-Head: Kecmanovic leads 1-0
Jack Sock is being heralded as one of the best doubles players of all-time after another title, this time in Indian Wells with John Isner. However, the American is looking to translate that success onto the singles court. Though Sock played Stefanos Tsitsipas very tough in the desert, I like young Miomir Kecmanovic’s chances to advance here. The 22-year-old Serbian is playing some phenomenal tennis of late having reached the quarterfinals of Indian Wells last week. Kecmanovic holds a 16-6 record on the year and is towards the top of the tour in wins. I will take him to oust Sock in a tough two-sets.
Prediction: Kecmanovic in 2
Mikhail Kukushkin vs Botic van de Zandschulp
Head-to-Head: Kukushkin leads 1-0
Qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin will take on Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in Round 1 of the Miami Open. Kukushkin won their only previous meeting during a 2019 Davis Cup match. van de Zandschulp is a completely different player at this point in his career as he currently holds his peak world ranking of #42. van de Zandschulp holds a 9-6 record so far in 2022 and should have no problem taking down Kukushkin.
Prediction: van de Zandschulp in 2
Sebastian Korda vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-Head: First meeting
Sebastian Korda and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will face off for the first time as each player looks to push through to Round 2 at the Miami Open. Both players are coming off of three-set, Round 2 defeats at Indian Wells against top-15 players. Young Sebastian Korda fell to Rafael Nadal after having a chance to serve out the match two separate times in the final set. The American has shown the fortitude to bounce back with vengeance, and I believe that will happen here. In his first appearance in the Miami draw last season, Korda made a run all the way to the quarterfinals. He will be motivated to back up those points.
Prediction: Korda in 2
Main Photo from Getty.
