Miami Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Carballes Baena preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick

Match Details

Fixture: (1) Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Carballes Baena

Date: 23 March 2024

Tournament: Miami Open 2024

Round: Second Round (Round of 64)

Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S.

Category: ATP 1000

Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)

Prize Money: $8,995,555

Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN & TVA | Australia - beIN SPORTS | India - Sony Liv

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Carballes Baena preview

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz will open his Miami Open 2024 campaign with a second-round encounter against Roberto Carballes Baena.

The Spaniard, who is the top seed at this year’s tournament, is in pursuit of a Sunshine Double after having already lifted a second consecutive Indian Wells crown last week.

The run in Indian Wells saw Alcaraz beat the likes of Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zvrev and improve his lackluster start to the season. His win-loss for the year now stands at 12-3.

Baena lost in the second round at Indian Wells.

Baena, meanwhile, has failed to win back-to-back matches since Auckland back in January. The Spaniard made a positive start to the season by reaching the semifinals at the ASB Classic, but things have gone south for him since and his win-loss for the season reads 4-7.

Having lost in the second round at Indian Wells to Daniil Medvedev, he entered a Challenger tournament only to retire from his first-round encounter.

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Carballes Baena head-to-head

Alcaraz and Baena will face off against one another for the very first time.

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Carballes Baena odds

Player	Moneyline	Handicap Bets	Total Games (Over & Under)
Carlos Alcaraz	-10000	-1.5 (-1000)	Over 16.5 (-150)
Roberto Carballes Baena	+1650	+1.5 (+500)	Under 16.5 (+105)

All odds sourced from BETMGM.

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Carlos Alcaraz vs Roberto Carballes Baena prediction

Alcaraz lifted the crown at Indian Wells.

Given the huge gulf in the world rankings and the level of experience playing on the big stage, Carlos Alcaraz will enter the contest as the heavy favorite.

The Spaniard, who was in the midst of a title drought since Wimbledon last year, rediscovered his best tennis in Indian Wells — blitzing his way to the title. His first serve and forehand were firing on all cylinders and he will once again rely on the weapons in Miami.

For Roberto Carballes Baena, the key will lie in finding ways to neutralize the power coming at him. He will have to stay strong on serve and be aggressive himself as a passive approach will only allow his opponent to settle into a rhythm.

That said, his recent form and injury scare at the last tournament failed to instill confidence in Baena’s prospects.

Prediction: Acalraz to win in straight sets