A possible Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner rematch wouldn’t occur till the ultimate, with the 2 younger superstars on reverse ends of the Miami Open 2024 draw preview. Defending Miami champion Daniil Medvedev lands on the identical facet as Sinner.
All three prime seeds have splendid information in Miami. The 4-seed Alexander Zverev has only a 13-8 report within the Vice Metropolis, with a number of early exits. Medvedev has arguably the simplest draw of the 4, and he’ll want it after a deep run to the ultimate at Indian Wells.
In a humorous second that went viral on social media, Novak Djokovic was requested what event he want to win. Miami wasn’t the reply– he’s gained it six occasions. (So many tournaments weren’t the reply!) It made excellent sense for Djokovic to tug out of the 2024 Miami Open to concentrate on household and prepare for the taxing clay season. However the draw misses him. It misses the Novak cred. It misses the Novak “otherness” of his recreation model and edge.
On the ladies’s facet, Iga Swiatek has a shot to repeat her Sunshine Double of 2022, and Aryna Sabalenka has drawn an early sticky wicket.
Now to the preview and evaluation, part by part.
Miami Open 2024 Draw Preview: Alcaraz
With all seeds getting first spherical byes, Alcaraz can have many of the first week to get better from his win at Indian Wells. Because the 2022 Miami Open champion, Alcaraz has confirmed his recreation works brilliantly right here. The Latin crowds adore Alcaraz. He shall be supported greater than another participant.
The Alcaraz draw is nothing he can’t deal with. American lefty Ben Shelton may make for an fascinating match, as would a possible quarterfinal in opposition to 2021 champion Hubert Hurkacz. Carlitos would wish his finest return recreation for these matches.
Final 12 months’s semifinal loss to Sinner in Miami solely heightens the urge for food for matchup quantity 9 within the rivalry some have named Sinneraz.
Zverev Quarter
Zverev has performed the Miami Open eight occasions and has misplaced within the Spherical of 64 4 of these occasions. Whether or not it’s the warmth, the change in circumstances or struggles together with his second serve, Zverev is inconsistent right here.
He additionally has a tricky draw this 12 months. He may probably face massive serving American Chris Eubanks, who made the quarterfinals right here final 12 months. Different very good gamers on this part embody 2023 semifinalist Karen Khachanov, Francisco Cerundolo and Alex De Minaur, who would run him all around the court docket.
Anchoring this quarter of the Miami Open 2024 Draw preview are younger hotshots Holger Rune and Jiri Lehecka. Rune gained the final time these two met in 2022, however the Czech is far improved since then.
Miami Open 2024 Draw Preview: Medvedev
Right here’s an fascinating stat: Medvedev has an ideal report in opposition to each different seed in his quarter besides one: Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman owns a 3-1 H2H in opposition to Meddy. Everybody else, Medvedev has dominated, together with Casper Ruud.
The Russian performs nicely in scorching, humid circumstances. His much-discussed, ever-changing return place shall be one thing to observe if he meets hot-serving Chilean Nicolas Jarry within the Spherical of 16.
If Meddy has the power to compete in Miami after a protracted and exhausting run within the desert, he may do nicely with this draw. His potential semifinal opponent? That’s one other matter.
Sinner Quarter
After a bruising semifinal loss to Alcaraz at Indian Wells, Sinner must heal. Amongst his considerations: A light calf pressure, an elbow contusion after a dive for one among Carlitos’ volleys, and a swollen left wrist. As well as, Sinner has suffered from blisters and cramps in humid circumstances.
Sinner has potential high quality opponents in Tommy Paul, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev. Any a type of gamers may minimize his keep in The 305 brief. All that mentioned, his Miami Open report is a sensational 13-3. At age 22, he can bounce again shortly.
Observe. This part of the draw encompasses a enjoyable first-round match that includes gamers seeking to regain the magic: Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrettini.
Gamers to observe:
QF: Alcaraz, Khachanov, Medvedev, Sinner
SF: Alcaraz, Sinner
F: Sinner
*****
Miami Open Girls’s Preview: Swiatek
Iga crushed the competitors and spent little or no time on court docket in profitable Indian Wells final week. No seeds in her eighth of the Miami Open 2024 draw preview are a lot of a hassle for the world primary.
That mentioned, the surging American Emma Navarro may current a unique form of matchup than their first and solely assembly in Charleston 2018. Navarro, only a 16-year-old taking part in in her hometown, met Iga’s bakery with a bagel and a pair of. The American then went on to play on the College of Virginia and has now reached a career-high rating of 20 on the WTA Tour.
Gauff Quarter
World quantity three Coco Gauff made the Indian Wells semifinals, however most of her matches have been scratchy. Her quarterfinal win featured 17 double faults, for instance. Gauff may be exhausted, and in addition to that, she hasn’t superior previous the Spherical of 16 in Miami.
Stable gamers on this quarter embody the in-form Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina. With the uneven Ons Jabeur anchoring this part, a type of two Ukranians may be the play right here.
Rybakina Quarter
Elena Rybakina’s serve may combine nicely with these scorching Miami circumstances, however the world quantity 4 has been injured and didn’t seem at Indian Wells.
A bang-up potential match within the prime part of this space might be Maria Sakkari vs Anna Kalinskya. The newfound confidence and energy from the Greek would make for an fascinating distinction to the scholar groundstrokes from the rising Russian.
Sabalenka Quarter
Aryna Sabalenka, who had a tricky attract Indian Wells, may need been a slam dunk for the Miami ultimate, however take a look at her first match. She’s going to face the winner of Paula Badosa and Simona Halep. Badosa, an exceptional participant, has been injured. Halep has been serving a controversial suspension after testing constructive for a banned substance. They’re flyers of unknown standing.
If she will get via that, Sabalenka may need to face fan favourite Caroline Wozniacki, who’s taking part in leaps forward of her rating. Katie Boulter and Victoria Azarenka headline the highest of this difficult part.
Gamers to observe:
QF: Swiatek, Svitolina, Sakkari, Sabalenka
SF: Swiatek, Sabalenka
F: Swiatek