Carlos Alcaraz headlines the action on Day 5 in Miami, as the tennis and the stakes continue to rise with the tournament progressing. While the World No. 1 is one of the true faces of the sport, that is far from all that will be on display, with exciting tennis promised throughout the day. As always, we will be breaking down every match. Who do you think will edge closer to a second-week appearance at ATP Miami?
ATP Miami Day 5 Predictions
Jiri Lehecka vs Ethan Quinn
Head-to-head: First meeting
Ethan Quinn pulled off an upset in his previous match against Casper Ruud in front of his home crowd and now faces Jiri Lehecka. This matchup is likely to be much tougher for Quinn stylistically, as Lehecka thrives on quicker surfaces and uses his aggressive baseline game effectively. If Lehecka performs to his level, he should have little trouble advancing.
Prediction: Lehecka in 2
Valentin Vacherot vs Matteo Berrettini
Head-to-head: First meeting
Matteo Berrettini secured one of his best wins in recent times against Alexander Bublik in the previous round. Against Valentin Vacherot, the match will likely come down to which player serves better on the day. Expect short rallies, big serving, and forehands dominating play, with Berrettini edging through in a tight contest.
Prediction: Berrettini in 3
Tommy Paul vs Raphael Collignon
Head-to-head: First meeting
Raphael Collignon showed great resilience in his opening match, saving a match point and eventually fighting his way into the third round. Against Tommy Paul, he will need a strong baseline performance and enough free points on serve to avoid exposing weaknesses in his game. While that is possible, Paul’s superior movement, experience, and variety should see him through as he continues his run in Miami.
Prediction: Paul in 2
Carlos Alcaraz vs Sebastian Korda
Head-to-head: Alcaraz 4-1 Korda
After acing the Joao Fonseca test in his opening match, Carlos Alcaraz returns to face another dangerous opponent in Sebastian Korda. On a fast court, Korda will like his chances and look to impose his aggressive baseline game, which could give him opportunities for a statement win. However, Alcaraz has shown over the past year that lapses in focus are becoming rare, and with his improved serve and defensive forehand, he should have enough both physically and mentally to overcome an opponent who has struggled under pressure at times.
Prediction: Alcaraz in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images