Miami Open Draw 2023: Men's singles draw analysis, preview & prediction
The 2023 Miami Open draw has taken place, with the men's singles brackets decided. We saw some brilliant tennis in Indian Wells and we are bound to see more of that in Miami.
The likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will not compete in this year's edition of the Masters 1000 event. But there will be a number of quality players who will look to lay their hands on the coveted trophy.
Carlos Alcaraz won the Miami Open last season by beating Casper Ruud in the final. The Spaniard will be a heavy favorite to win the tournament this season as well, especially after triumphing at the Indian Wells Masters. However, there are some others who are capable of challenging him for the title.
On that note, let's take a look at how the main draw at the Miami Open could unfold.
First Quarter: Carlos Alcaraz aiming to defend title in Miami
Seeded Players: (1) Carlos Alcaraz, (7) Holger Rune, (9) Taylor Fritz, (16) Tommy Paul, (20) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, (24) Denis Shapovalov, (30) Maxime Cressy, (31) Diego Schwartzman
Expected Quarterfinal: Carlos Alcaraz vs Taylor Fritz
Dark Horse: Andy Murray
Analysis: Top seed Carlos Alcaraz will arguably be the favorite to win the Miami Open after his exploits in Indian Wells. The Spaniard's potential opponents in the earlier stages of the tournament include Andy Murray and Maxime Cressy. Alcaraz should be able to make it to the fourth round without too many problems.
Here, he will most likely take on Tommy Paul but Alejandro Davidovich Fokina should not be written off. Either way, Alcaraz should manage the win and book his place in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.
The other side of this quarter has seventh seed Holger Rune and ninth seed Taylor Fritz. While the likes of Denis Shapovalov, John Isner, and Diego Schwartzman are tricky to beat at their best, Rune and Fritz will most likely lock horns in the Round of 16.
The latter should just about manage to come out on top and reach the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.
Quarterfinal Prediction: Carlos Alcaraz def. Taylor Fritz
Second Quarter: Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev in contention for QF spots
Seeded Players: (3) Casper Ruud, (6) Andrey Rublev, (10) Jannik Sinner, (13) Alexander Zverev, (21) Grigor Dimitrov, (22) Roberto Bautista Agut, (26) Botic van de Zandschulp, (29) Miomir Kecmanovic
Expected Quarterfinal: Andrey Rublev vs Alexander Zverev
Analysis: This quarter has third seed and last year's runner-up Casper Ruud, who has endured a poor start to the season. The Norwegian will be eager to bounce back at the Miami Open and has a draw which is favorable enough to see him reach the round of 16.
Here, Ruud will most likely face Alexander Zverev, who is gradually returning to the level we're used to seeing him play at. The German should be able to beat the Norwegian and book his place in the quarterfinals.
The other side of this quarter has sixth seed Andrey Rublev and 10th seed Jannik Sinner, who reached the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters. Grigor Dimitrov, Miomir Kecmanovic, and Alexander Bublik have not been in the best of form lately. So, it will probably come down to Rublev and Sinner for a place in the quarterfinals.
The match will be expected to be tightly contested and the Russian should just about manage to edge the Italian out to reach the last eight of the Miami Open.
Quarterfinal Prediction: Andrey Rublev def. Alexander Zverev
Third Quarter: Daniil Medvedev will look to bounce back from Indian Wells final heartbreak
Seeded Players: (4) Daniil Medvedev, (8) Hubert Hurkacz, (11) Cameron Norrie, (15) Alex de Minaur, (17) Borna Coric, (19) Matteo Berrettini, (29) Yoshihito Nishioka, (32) Ben Shelton
Expected Quarterfinal: Daniil Medvedev vs Cameron Norrie
Dark Horse: Mackenzie McDonald
Analysis: This quarter has fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, who will be among the top favorites to win the Miami Open. The Russian starts his tournament against either Bernabe Zapata Miralles or Roberto Carballes Baena and should be able to beat either player comfortably.
Medvedev should manage to reach the fourth round without much trouble and here, he will most likely face either 15th seed Alex de Minaur or 19th seed Matteo Berrettini. Although Mackenzie McDonald should not be written off, the 27-year-old has been in terrific form lately and should be able to beat whoever he faces in the fourth round.
The other side of this draw has the likes of 18th seed Borna Coric and 32nd seed Ben Shelton, both of whom are pretty good competitors. However, it will most probably come down to Hubert Hurkacz vs Cameron Norrie for a spot in the quarterfinals.
The two will lock horns for the first time if they meet one another and Norrie looks in relatively better form at present. So, he should manage to beat Hurkacz and book his place in the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal Prediction: Daniil Medvedev def. Cameron Norrie
Fourth Quarter: Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Frances Tiafoe will challenge for QF spots
Seeded Players: (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas, (5) Felix Auger-Aliassime, (12) Frances Tiafoe, (14) Karen Khachanov, (18) Lorenzo Musetti, (23) Dan Evans, (25) Francisco Cerundolo, (27) Sebastian Baez
Expected Quarterfinal: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Felix Auger-Aliassime
Dark Horse: Jiri Lehecka
Analysis: Second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is in this quarter and will be eager to do well in Miami following a disappointing second-round exit at the Indian Wells Masters. However, a lot will depend on whether the Greek has recovered from his shoulder injury.
Tsitsipas has received a favorable draw as his potential opponents in the second and third rounds include Richard Gasquet and Sebastian Baez respectively. The 24-year-old should be able to reach the fourth round, where he will most probably face either Karen Khachanov or Lorenzo Musetti, although Jiri Lehecka should not be written off.
Tsitsipas should manage to beat either of the three and book his place in the quarterfinals.
The other side of the quarter has the likes of Dan Evans, Francisco Cerundolo, Lorenzo Sonego, and Dominic Thiem. However, it will most likely come down to fifth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and 12th seed Frances Tiafoe fighting for a place in the quarterfinals.
Tiafoe did very well to reach the semifinals of the Indian Wells Masters and could probably give Auger-Aliassime a tough fight. However, the Canadian's composure might just about see him through to the last eight of the Miami Open.
Quarterfinal Prediction: Felix Auger-Aliassime def. Stefanos Tsitsipas
Semifinal Predictions
Carlos Alcaraz def. Andrey Rublev
Daniil Medvedev def. Felix Auger-Aliassime
Final
Daniil Medvedev def. Carlos Alcaraz
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Akshay Saraswat