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Tennis influencer Rachel Stuhlmann has high hopes from Alexander Zverev at this year’s Miami Open. The German athlete is on a comeback journey after having his 2022 season derailed due to a freak ankle injury at the French Open.
Although Zverev isn’t completely in the groove since his return, Stuhlmann has placed her bets on the former World No. 2 to win it all at the Miami Open. The influencer backed her bold statement with her previously successful prediction of Novak Djokovic winning the 2023 Australian Open and Carlos Alcaraz winning the 2023 Indian Wells.
“Between Australian Open and Indian Wells, we are two for two this year. And I am eager to make it three for three here in Miami. I am just going to go straight into it. I got [Alexander Zverev] winning this one,” she announced in an Instagram Story.
Stuhlmann further reasoned that the humid climatic conditions in Miami as well as the heavy tennis balls used in the tournament favor Zverev’s playing style.
“Between the humidity and the heavy ball, he does really well in these conditions and he has made it to the finals here in the past,” she said about the 2018 finalist.
Zverev has registered eight wins with as many losses so far in 2023. His best result came in the semifinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Moreover, at the recently concluded Indian Wells event, the German almost managed to knock out an in-form Daniil Medvedev in the Round of 16.
Considering the severity of his injury, the Tokyo Olympic gold medalist has certainly had a noteworthy form recovery in a short span of time, which is only expected to improve as the season progresses. At the Miami Open, the World No. 15 has received a bye in the opening round and is set up for a clash against Japan’s Taro Daniel in the Round of 64.
Apart from Alexander Zverev, Rachel Stuhlmann expects Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton to make a deep run at Miami Open 2023
Rachel Stuhlmann is also optimistic about Taylor Fritz’ and Ben Shelton’s run at the 2023 Miami Open. The two players have had some significant wins this season.
“I also have Americans Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton making it pretty deep in the draw,” she said.
Although Fritz was unsuccessful in his Indian Wells title defense, Stuhlmann believes that the conditions at the Miami Open should favor the American No. 1 tennis player.
“Fritz has become a regular in the final rounds of the big tournaments and hits a big flat hander from both sides. I think the super heavy ball will work in his favor,” the influencer said.
Meanwhile, she remarked that Australian Open quarterfinalist Ben Shelton’s new sponsorship deal with the Roger Federer-backed sportswear manufacturer, On, is likely to see the 20-year-old American stage a confident run at the tournament.
“And finally, Ben Shelton is just 'that guy' right now. He is one of the most exciting players on tour at the moment and he is probably feeling pretty confident after just signing that deal with Federer,” she said.
