'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAUACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABcAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABhAAAgICAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIDBAAFBhEiByEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQRAQACAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAREmFx/9oADAMBAAIRAxEAPwCE3XJdNqeKW+Ta3jVGtcq1LsSemYKFZUBQHypAY9fmTtP6ZfsVIJrGp1s00kSPLKTYBd2HbMQsoA7OMY+kCyzpDE0QhOitkb5Cvu9Z/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
Date: Friday, March 24
Round: Second round (Round of 64)
Venue: Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $8,800,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka preview
Third seed Casper Ruud will open his Miami Open campaign on Friday (March 24) against Ilya Ivashka after a first-round bye.
World No. 5 Ruud has had an underwhelming start to the season, winning only four of his nine matches. He hasn't won consecutive matches at five previous tournaments in 2023 and is coming off a Round of 32 loss to Cristian Garin at Indian Wells a fortnight ago.
The 2022 Roland Garros and US Open finalist opened his campaign with a win at the inaugural United Cup but lost three of his next four matches, including the second round at the Australian Open.
Meanwhile, the 80th-ranked Ivashka has only fared marginally better than his upcoming opponent. He improved to 3-5 in 2023 with a first-round win over Daniel Altmaier. The Belarusian's two other wins this season came at Indian Wells, where he lost to eventual finalist Daniil Medvedev in the third round.
Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka head-to-head
The two players haven't locked horns before on tour, so their H2H record stands at 0-0.
Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka odds
All odds as per BetMGM
Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka prediction
Ruud and Ivashka have similar styles of play, as they are quintessential baseliners.
However, the Norwegian takes the edge because of his superior experience and pedigree. When on song, Ruud is a mean hitter of the ball and has a strong, reliable serve to boot, while Ivashka is a steady player at best with no attribute particularly standing out.
While he's at his most comfortable on claycourts, the 24-year-old Ruud has an improved game on hardcourt, as evidenced by his final runs in Miami, US Open and the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin.
He hasn't had the same returns early on in the 2023 season, but Ruud will take confidence from making the final here last year. He might not make back-to-back finals - going by his patchy early-season form - but should have enough in the tank to overwhelm Ivashka.
Pick: Ruud in straight sets
