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Match Details
Fixture: (8) Hubert Hurkacz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Date: March 25, 2023
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
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
Hubert Hurkacz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis preview
Eighth seed Hubert Hurkacz will begin his Miami Open 2023 title quest with a second-round clash against Australian lucky loser Thanasi Kokkinakis on Saturday, March 25.
World No. 9 Hurkacz will be entering this tournament on the back of a decent 13-6 win-loss record for the year. The biggest highlight of the Pole's season has so far been lifting the trophy at the ATP 250 event in Marseille in February.
He also guided Poland to the United Cup semifinals at the beginning of the year and made the quarterfinals in Dubai.
The 26-year-old, however, couldn't get his Sunshine Double campaign off to a good start as he bowed out in the third round against Tommy Paul at Indian Wells. Hurkacz will be eager to bounce back to form in Miami, a place where he has fond memories of winning the title in 2021.
World No. 94 Thanasi Kokkinakis, meanwhile, made a promising start to the year with a dazzling run to the semifinals of the Adelaide International 2. After a heartbreaking five-set second-round loss to Andy Murray at the Australian Open, the 26-year-old went on to win the title at the Manama Challenger.
Following an early exit from Dubai, Kokkinakis qualified for the Indian Wells Masters before losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round.
At the ongoing Miami Open, the Aussie lost his final round of qualifying, but managed to get into the main draw as a lucky loser. He made the most of his second chance by handing Zizou Bergs a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(7) a defeat after saving three match points in what was a grueling encounter.
Hubert Hurkacz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis head-to-head
Hurkacz and Kokkinakis have never squared off at the tour level before. Hence, their head-to-head officially stands at a 0-0 deadlock.
However, they did meet once in the qualifying rounds of Atlanta in 2018, where Kokkinakis emerged a 6-2, 7-6(6) winner.
Hubert Hurkacz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis odds
(Odds sourced from oddschecker.com)
Hubert Hurkacz vs Thanasi Kokkinakis prediction
With both players having gigantic serves and aggressive groundstrokes, we could witness some fiery exchanges on the fast courts of Miami.
Kokkinakis showed exceptional resilience to battle back from a set and a break down to complete his comeback win in two hours and 31 minutes. He produced 11 aces, won 74% of his first-serve points and ripped 32 winners to 24 unforced errors. The Aussie put up decent stats on the return too, converting two of his four breakpoint opportunities.
It goes without saying that Kokkinakis will have to come up with more of those numbers if he wants to stay toe-to-toe with Hurkacz. The Pole has an all-court game and great defense too. He will look to move the Aussie all over the court with his accurate groundstrokes in order to eke out errors from his racquet.
Kokkinakis isn't one of the most consistent players around and could give way under relentless pressure from the other side of the net. He also played a marathon in the previous round, whose effects he could be feeling in the upcoming duel, making it easier for Hurkacz.
Pick: Hubert Hurkacz to win in straight sets.
