We won’t see Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal in the ATP 1000 Miami Open this week, as the world of pro tennis moves from Indian Wells to South Florida. Indian Wells featured some terrific tennis, and Miami promises to offer more of the same. Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion from last year, and he also took the men’s singles title at Indian Wells last week, so he enters as the heavy sports betting favorite. Let’s break down the men’s singles draw as you consider your Tennis wagering strategies for the week.
Tennis News: ATP 1000 Miami Open Preview
First Quarter
Seeded Players
:Carlos Alcaraz (1), Holger Rune (7), Taylor Fritz (9), Tommy Paul (16), Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (20), Denis Shapovalov (24), Maxime Cressy (30), Diego Schwartzman (31).
Sleeper
:Andy Murray
Alcaraz’s first challenging opponents would be Maxime Cressy and Andy Murray. Neither one of them should keep him from cruising smoothly to the fourth round. There, he would meet either Tommy Paul or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. Both of these are up-and-coming players in ATP, but once again, based on recent history, Alcaraz should be able to get by either of these opponents and get to the quarterfinals. On the other side of this quarter of the bracket await seventh seed Holger Rune and ninth seed Taylor Fritz. These two would have to evade the likes of John Isner, Diego Schwartzman and Denis Shapovalov, but if seeds hold, it should be Fritz and Rune in the fourth round. This is basically a toss-up, but Rune has had the better run of form lately.
Second Quarter
Seeded Players
:Casper Ruud (3), Andrey Rublev (6), Jannik Sinner (10), Alexander Zverev (13), Grigor Dimitrov (21), Roberto Bautista Agut (22), Botic van de Zandschulp (26), Miomir Kecmanovic (29)
Casper Ruud was the runner-up here a year ago, but his 2023 has not been solid so far. His draw here is friendly enough for him to cruise to the fourth round, unless his consistency takes a turn for the worse. Alexander Zverev would likely be waiting for him at that point; Zverev has been playing much better so far in 2023 and should be able to stop Ruud before the quarterfinals.
Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner are on the other side of this quarter. Sinner made it to the semifinals at Indian Wells. Dimitrov, Kecmanovic and Alexander Bublik have been in a bit of a funk lately, so Sinner and Rublev would likely battle for the slot in the quarterfinals. Sinner’s run of play has been better in recent weeks, so I’d lean toward him to make the last eight.
Third Quarter
Seeded Players
:Daniil Medvedev (4), Hubert Hurkacz (8), Cameron Norrie (11), Alex de Minaur (15), Borna Coric (17), Matteo Berrettini (19), Yoshihito Nishioka (29), Ben Shelton (32)
Sleeper
:Mackenzie McDonald
Medvedev is also one of the top favorites to win the tournament, and he opens with a draw that should run smoothly to the fourth round, where Matteo Berrettini or Alex de Minaur are the likeliest opponents. Mackenzie McDonald could provide Medvedev with a challenge, though, if he’s not ready. Borna Coric and Ben Shelton are on the other side of the draw, but neither of them should be able to get by Hurkacz or Cameron Norrie. In that matchup, Norrie has had the better results lately.
Fourth Quarter
Seeded Players
:Stefanos Tsitsipas (2), Felix Auger-Aliassime (5), Frances Tiafoe (12), Karen Khachanov (14), Lorenzo Musetti (18), Dan Evans (23), Francisco Cerundolo (25), Sebastian Baez (27)
Sleeper
:Jiri Lehecka
Tsitsipas will have plenty of motivation to make a deep run in Miami after crashing out in the second round at Indian Wells. His injured shoulder played a role in the loss, so we will see how well he has recovered. He gets Richard Gasquet and Sebastian Baez in the second and third rounds, respectively, if favorites hold, so a trip to the fourth round is more than reasonable. Khachanov or Musetti should be waiting for him, but Jiri Lehecka has played extremely well lately. No matter which one is waiting in the fourth round, though, Tsitsipas should be able to get to the quarterfinals, assuming that his shoulder has recovered. On the other side of the quarter, Dominic Thiem, Francisco Cerundolo and Lorenzo Sonego are lurking, but Frances Tiafoe and Fleix Auger-Aliassime are the likeliest combatants in the fourth round.
Entertaining Dominic Thiem & Casper Ruud Court-Level Practice
Bet Miami Open Today
Xbet Betting Lines for the Game
Tennis Betting Odds
Love betting on Tennis matches? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date Tennis Betting Odds
