Joao Fonseca and Ugo Humbert will square off for the second time this season for a spot in the third round of the ATP Miami Open. That’s one of four matches featured in this article. Who will advance?
ATP Miami Day 4 Predictions
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina vs Frances Tiafoe
Head-to-head: Tiafoe 2-1 Davidovich Fokina
This will be their second meeting in as many months. Davidovich Fokina defeated Tiafoe in three sets en route to the Acapulco final last month. The Spaniard is riding high off a sequence of great results. He’s won nine of his last 12 matches at Tour level. By contrast, Tiafoe is struggling to get wins on the board and his dip in form this season is alarming. Momentum is squarely on Davidovich Fokina’s side.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 3
Ben Shelton vs Coleman Wong
Head-to-head: first meeting
20-year-old Coleman Wong made history after beating Daniel Altmaier in the first round. He’s the first Hongkonger to win a match at Masters 1000 level. The result comes as a massive surprise and one that will surely garner the attention of his next opponent Ben Shelton. As impressive as that milestone is, Wong is still not yet equipped to pull off a Top 20 win.
Prediction: Shelton in 2
Andrey Rublev vs Zizou Bergs
Head-to-head: Rublev 1-0 Bergs
After lifting the title in Doha, Andrey Rublev produced two subpar performances in his next two tournaments which both resulted in early exits. He’s still stuck at nine wins for the season. But there is little indication that Zizou Bergs will be next in line to upset the Russian. The Belgian hasn’t won back-to-back matches since February. Three weeks is sufficient for Rublev to overcome his post-title slump. Expect an emphatic response from the eighth seed.
Prediction: Rublev in 2
Joao Fonseca vs Ugo Humbert
Head-to-head: Humbert 1-0 Fonseca
Ugo Humbert is one of four players to beat the talented Joao Fonseca this season. He scored France’s first point in the Davis Cup first-round qualifying win against Brazil last month. Fonseca battled past his former junior rival Learner Tien in his opening match in Miami to extend his perfect record in the head-to-head (3-0). The 18-year-old was unwell during the match and took a medical timeout but reassured fans that it was nothing to stress about. Humbert’s game is rooted in strategy, so he’s got the tools to counter Fonseca’s high-energy tennis. This will be close, but the 19th should be the slight favorite to progress.
Prediction: Humbert in 3
Main Photo Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
