Miami, USA, Round of 32
Alcaraz C. vs. Monfils G.
Alcaraz needs no introduction, a complete player in both serving and returning. After an ankle injury, he has recovered remarkably and has dominated all his opponents, winning Indian Wells. Monfils, coming from a hard-fought victory against Thompson, relies heavily on his service but shouldn’t be underestimated because of his experience and flair in tight matches where he's the underdog. I believe Alcaraz could win comfortably, but the first set might be more contested.
Cerundolo F. vs. Kachanov K.
On paper, this match leans heavily in favor of Kachanov, who played less and dominated an experienced opponent like Djere. He served well and took every opportunity given by his opponent. He might struggle if his service percentages drop, especially against deep returns, particularly on the forehand which requires a wide and slow preparation. Cerundolo struggled significantly against an opponent not experienced on the surface, missing a lot and rarely taking the chances offered to him, something you can't afford against Kachanov. The match could be competitive, but much will depend on the service.
De Minaur A. vs. Struff J. L.
This match, on paper, seems one-sided. De Minaur, in great form, loves playing close to the baseline and can lean into his opponent's ball. However, his low first serve percentages could pose a problem against a power hitter like Struff, who has nothing to lose. Struff can rely on an excellent serve and volleys, which could be crucial against De Minaur if he finds good depth.
Dimitrov G. vs. Hanfman Y.
Dimitrov, after a somewhat strenuous win in the previous round, ended on a high note and is looking to close out quickly. His serve and forehand are his strongest shots, but he can mix in excellent backhand slices and net approaches. Hanfman, reliant on his serve and prone to errors, took advantage of Mannarino's clear problem but still risked defeat. I see this as a one-sided match, with the Bulgarian wanting to wrap things up quickly.
Korda S. vs. Hurkacz H.
Both players depend on their serve and baseline shots. With similar playing styles and currently showing fluctuating performances, I predict a closely contested match, as previous encounters between the two have shown. The details, which Hurkacz meticulously attends to unlike Korda, who often errs under pressure, might make the difference.
Popyrin A. vs. Maroszan F.
Popyrin comes from a convincing win against a not fully fit Lehecka, who even called for a medical timeout for a persistent back problem. With a strong serve and forehand, Popyrin attacks whenever possible. Maroszan, on his side, comes from a highly convincing win against Rune, is confident, and is showcasing his repertoire of variations and powerful baseline shots, particularly his forehand. Both players can make a difference in their returns, so I predict a contested match, possibly with a tie-break and many breaks in between, with the more confident player eventually prevailing.