The top half of the ATP Miami draw is set for the quarterfinals with plenty of star power on display. The first match features Jannick Sinner who seems to be in elite form right now and has a real chance at the title, against unseeded Emil Ruusuvuori, who is playing in his first career Masters 1000 quarterfinal. The second match will have all eyes on it with a blockbuster matchup between Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz. Alcaraz is the World #1, looking to complete the Sunshine Double and defend his Miami title, while Fritz will look for the American crowd to will him to victory. This is shaping up to be an exciting finish to the event with the first set of quarterfinals setting the tone.
ATP Miami Quarterfinal Predictions
Jannik Sinner vs Emil Ruusuvuori
Head-to-head: 4-1 Sinner
After Ruusuvuori won their first meeting, Sinner has won four straight and lost just one set in those four meetings. Ruusuvuori is certainly talented but has had mixed results in his young career, including a 9-9 record in 2023 before Miami. Sinner has been on a tear this season and has won a title, reached the final, and lost in the semifinals in his last three events. He has been tough to beat too, with his last two losses to elite players Alcaraz and Medvedev. Ruusuvuori has shown to be vulnerable with some ugly losses on the year but has scored wins over Dan Evans, as well as both Roberto Bautista Agut and Botic van de Zandschulp in Miami. While those were impressive wins, neither player is in top form and especially not at the level of Sinner.
Sinner will have a serious edge considering he dispatched Andrey Rublev with ease in just 72 minutes in a straightforward victory, while Ruusuvuori spent two hours and 44 minutes on court. The extended court time will play a factor since the top half of the draw does not have an off day. They both are similarly sized and have similar strength, but Sinner is more consistent, moves better, and has played some of his best tennis on faster courts like the Miami courts this week. Sinner is on fire right now and with the added rest advantage should have no problem winning this one easily.
Prediction: Sinner in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz
Head-to-head: First meeting
Shockingly, these two are playing for the first time despite excellent 2022 seasons for both players. Alcaraz has continue his excellent form and looks nearly unbeatable this year. In just three events that he has entered after an injury layoff, he is 17-1 with two titles highlighted by Indian Wells. He won Indian Wells without dropping a set and picked up where he left off in Miami, extending his win streak to nine matches without a single set lost in that span. Fritz has looked great in Miami despite not playing his best so far this year. He has shown flashes of brilliance but has lost several winnable matches. He has won all three of his Miami matches in straight sets including wins over Denis Shapovalov and Holger Rune.
For Fritz to have a chance to upset Alcaraz, he will have to serve big and keep points short. Few if any players on tour can get into baseline battles with Alcaraz so Fritz will have to rely on his power to go for winners and hit through Alcaraz’s elite defense. These tactics will give Fritz an outside shot but Alcaraz is showing his all-around talent. He can hit hard from the baseline, play touch shots in pinpoint locations, and come to net when needed to finish out points. He does not seem to have any weakness in his game and it will take a massive effort to defeat the Spaniard. Fritz will serve well enough to possibly get a set but Alcaraz is simply on another planet right now.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
