There will be 16 second-round ATP matches on schedule at the Miami Open on Day 4 of the event. Home favorite Ben Shelton will play France’s Adrian Mannarino in a battle of left-handers. Who do you think will advance into the third round?
ATP Miami Day 4 Predictions
Lorenzo Sonego vs Dan Evans
Head-to-head: Sonego 1-0 Evans
It’s been a stop-start season for Dan Evans. He is 3-8 for the season and enters this contest on a five-match losing streak. Sonego, meanwhile, has fared slightly better with two quarterfinal appearances and secured a fine win over Dominic Thiem in the first round. Remarkably, Evans has never progressed beyond the second round in each of his four main draw appearances in Miami. The one-hander has the weaponry to expose a few chinks in Sonego’s armory, but he is short on match sharpness.
Prediction: Sonego in 3
Cristian Garin vs Sebastian Baez
Head-to-head: Baez 2-0 Garin
In the past couple of weeks, Cristian Garin has relocated something that seemed lost in his game. The Chilean has reacquainted himself with the determination and confidence that took him to the Top 20 a couple of years back. He is a different player from the one that lost handily to Sebastian Baez in the Golden Swing in February. Garin will have another crack at Baez in the Argentine’s most vulnerable surroundings. The world #82 should turn the tables in this rivalry.
Prediction: Garin in 2
Karen Khachanov vs Tomas Martin Etcheverry
Head-to-head: first meeting
Karen Khachanov has a chance to rack up some valuable points this fortnight. Considering he lost in the second round last year at this event, the Russian might push to enter the upper side of the Top 15. Etcheverry makes his living out of the red clay, but picked up important learning points in his defeat to Andy Murray in Indian Wells. He has a nice balance of the classic clay-court defense and an aggressive forehand. But off the ground, Khachanov has unmatched power.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Ben Shelton vs Adrian Mannarino
Head-to-head: first meeting
This should be a fun match between two southpaws. There are fewer challenges in men’s tennis right now than taking on Ben Shelton on a hard court on home territory. Mannarino, for all his experience and veteran know-how, knows he is walking in a lion’s den here. Shelton is an apt student of the game and it has taken the ATP’s Top 10 to beat him in his last two matches. The home favorite should get off to a rampaging start on his Miami main draw debut.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
