On day 8 of the ATP Miami Open, two quarterfinal matches will be played. Six-time champion Novak Djokovic will face Sebastian Korda, while Grigor Dimitrov will play Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina. As always, we at LWOT will offer predictions for both the quarterfinal matches. But which players will advance to the semifinals?
ATP Miami Quarterfinal Predictions
Grigor Dimitrov vs Francisco Cerundolo
Head-to-Head: Dimitrov 1-0 Cerundolo
Grigor Dimitrov played a great match to beat Brandon Nakashima in straight sets. Having played an extremely physical match against Karen Khachanov in the third round, there were doubts whether Dimitrov would recover fully, but he showed no signs of fatigue and played at a solid level. The Bulgarian did not make a single quarterfinal in his first 12 appearances at the Miami Open but has now made back-to-back. He will face a stern test in the quarterfinal.
Francisco Cerundolo loves playing in Miami as he makes his third quarterfinal in just four appearances. Cerundolo thrashed Casper Ruud in the fourth round like it was nothing. His baseline level is great, and the conditions here are perfect for him to construct points. He has the consistency and weapons to trouble Dimitrov, who must serve extremely well to make up for the disadvantage in backhand rallies. I am going with the Argentinian in this one.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3
Novak Djokovic vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-Head: Djokovic 1-0 Korda
Novak Djokovic played a vintage match to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round. It was Djokovic’s best performance since the Australian Open. The six-time Miami Open champion had all the answers for Musetti’s creativity and was dialled in behind his returns. If Djokovic can keep playing at this level, he will be hard to stop this week.
Sebastian Korda did extremely well to beat the in-form Gael Monfils in three sets and took revenge for the Indian Wells loss. The match was rain-interrupted, but Korda closed it out brilliantly. The American has played much better in this tournament than in his last three events and will need to be even better to beat Djokovic. The last time he faced Djokovic, he had a match point but couldn’t convert. I expect another tight match between these two, but Djokovic’s better all-round game should help him prevail.
Prediction: Djokovic in 3
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
