Some Day 1 WTA matches were delayed due to rain, but with the ATP half starting a day later, hopefully the Miami Masters can stay on schedule for the men. The first day of play includes no seeded players, which stunningly means that Stefanos Tsitsipas is now playing in the first round. How will he fare? We predict that match, along with every other on the day.
ATP Miami Day 1 Predictions
Moise Kouame vs Zachary Svajda
This could be a really fun match between two up-and-coming players. Svajda is a solid talent who probably has a peak as a decent Top 30 player. Kouame, meanwhile, is young and has a ton of potential, but he’s very raw currently. He could use this wild card to make a real splash, especially considering that Svajda didn’t look amazing in qualifying. I think we’re about to get our first real glimpse of the Frenchman’s potential.
Prediction: Kouame in 3
Matteo Berrettini vs Alexandre Muller
Berrettini is yet again on the comeback trail from injury. He is an elite talent with one of the most powerful games on Tour, and if he can stay healthy long enough he’ll get a chance to prove it. He’ll probably be a bit out of rhythm at this point, but the courts in Miami suit his game well.
Prediction: Berrettini in 2
Mariano Navone vs Nikoloz Basilashvili
Both of these players are in good form right now. Basilashvili looked incredible in qualifying here, while Navone won a high-level Challenger last week. Basilashvili hasn’t been consistent enough at any time in his comeback to trust him, but the level he showed earlier this week is high enough to do serious damage in this tournament.
Prediction: Basilashvili in 2
Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Arthur Fery
Fery looked decent in qualifying but wasn’t overly impressive. Tsitsipas might be in freefall right now, but he’s still a much better player than Fery. I expect him to find enough rhythm to win this match, though winning a second in Miami might be tough.
Prediction: Tsitsipas in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images