Day 2 of the ATP Miami Open still features first round matches with the likes of lucky loser Thanasi Kokkinakis and Australian Open Rafael Nadal conqueror, Mackenzie McDonald, in action.
ATP Miami Day 2 Predictions
Pedro Martinez vs Quentin Halys
Head-to-head: 0-0
Martinez’s results on hardcourts have never been the best, to say the least, and the Spaniard has mostly made a living off his clay court success. This year, however, his form on clay has also been worrying, with just one win in the four ATP events he’s played on the dirt, something that has played a huge part in his ranking of #40 around a year ago (now down to #121). His French opponent is much more suited to this surface and whilst his form also hasn’t been great, a semifinal at the Challenger event in Phoenix last week will be a huge aid in his confidence.
Prediction: Halys in 2
Daniel Elahi Galan vs Mackenzie McDonald
Head-to-head: McDonald 1-0
McDonald’s been slowly going on about his business and is somewhat having a good year. Obviously we all know about the stunning win against 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in Melbourne, but there’s also been a semifinal and quarterfinal after that to go along with it. The biggest issue with the American is consistency–sometimes he’s great and a pleasure to watch; other times he’s a shadow of that player. His game is effective on slower hard courts as he’s able to maintain in rallies before extracting unforced errors and that’s exactly what this match will be about with Galan trying to do the exact same with his claycourt-like tendencies. McDonald has the better serve and on this surface is the far better player.
Prediction: McDonald in 2
Pavel Kotov vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: 0-0
To say this isn’t a very tight one to call would be an understatement. The Argentine only randomly burst onto the scene a few weeks ago almost winning the title in Chile and then followed it up with almost getting the better of former World #1 Andy Murray in the opening round in Indian Wells. Kotov, on the other side of the net, qualified fairly routinely for this event including a perhaps surprising win against Radu Albot. The Russian’s game is bigger and far more effective in going out and winning matches so it’s more about if he can produce as if he doesn’t Etcheverry’s game is more than good enough to make the most of his chances and get the win with his grinding.
Prediction: Etcheverry in 3
Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-head: 0-0
A battle between lucky loser Kokkinakis and wildcard Bergs isn’t what many people expected to be seeing in Miami but here we are. The Australian has had a fairly good start to the year with a semifinal in Adelaide, that epic Andy Murray loss at the Australian Open as well a Challenger title win in Manama. Barely losing out in his final qualifying round match against Benoit Paire, it’s somewhat great to see him still get into the main draw given just how good the quality of that match was from both men. Let’s also not forget that Miami is where he had by far the biggest win of his career some years ago in beating Roger Federer. On the other hand, Bergs has yet to win a single main tour ATP match this year with two wins or more in succession just once, it’s safe to say who many think will win this one.
Prediction: Kokkinakis in 2
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey-USA TODAY Sports
