The ATP’s Miami Open Masters tournament completes its second round on Saturday in Key Biscayne. Looking back to Friday, we had a productive day with our tennis picks as we went 2-1. We cashed with Rafael Nadal and Kei Nishikori, but lost with Pablo Cuevas.
Looking ahead to Saturday, Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro are both one win away from meeting in a third-round blockbuster which would represent a highly significant event well before the final championship-stage matches of the tournament. It’s a day to avoid landmines in Miami, as the seeded players who haven’t yet played will test themselves against opponents, trying to fight off rust. Here is a look at our tennis picks for Saturday.
Roger Federer vs. Frances Tiafoe
Roger Federer has been successful on hard courts, but Miami is one place where although he has won a couple of times, he hasn’t particularly enjoyed the slow and humid conditions. Yet, the 35-year-old comes into the tournament as a top contender for the title because Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray aren’t in the tournament.
Federer has won the Australian Open and Indian Wells– two of the most important events played this year. On Saturday, Federer will open against Frances Tiafoe, who is already rated by many as the future of American tennis. Federer is expected to come through but will be tested against one of the best teenagers on tour.
The 19-year-old Tiafoe beat Konstantin Kravchuk to set up a second round clash. The next generation star made full use of his big serve hitting 12 aces. He also converted five of the 14 break chances he earned versus Kravchuk. Tiafoe will be inspired but also very nervous. The excitement and inexperience may not allow him to win, but it’s going to be a part of a learning curve. Take Federer with your tennis picks here.
Pick: Federer in straight sets
Dominic Thiem vs. Borna Coric
Dominic Thiem follows the grueling schedule but consistently goes deep in the tournaments. It’s no mystery how he does that. He likes to play, loves to win and lives to compete harder every day. Thiem is 17-7 this season with a title run in Rio.
Last week in Indian Wells, he lost in the quarterfinals but pushed the world No. 3 Stan Wawrinka to the brink. Here in Miami, the Austrian opens against Borna Coric, who is coming back from injury but still remains a dangerous customer.
As for Coric, the talented youngster is back in good health, and he’s trying to return to winning ways. In the first round against Marcel Granollers, he lost a few match points but finished off a two-hour, 51-minute win. The Croatian was hitting his backhand crosscourt with more depth and pace, a shot which will be very important against Thiem’s single-handed backhand. Coric is a good young player and has beaten some top players in the past. Can he beat Thiem? It’s a tall order at this point. Thiem is the choice for our tennis picks.
Pick: Thiem in three sets
Nick Kyrgios vs. Damir Dzumhur
To beat Novak Djokovic once is amazing but to defeat him twice in a row requires exceptional talent. Nick Kyrgios has it and he beat Djokovic in Acapulco and Indian Wells, where Djokovic has reigned supreme five times. The Australian made it possible with untouchable serving, thunderous forehands, and a wicked backhand which created absurd angles. When Kyrgios stays drama free, his full potential is on display and it yields big results. He is still young and is starting to realize his best qualities. The only thing that hampered Kyrgios from triumphing in California was food poisoning.
Kyrgios will open against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur on Saturday. Dzumhur had to dig deep and save multiple match points to beat Hyeon Chung in the first round. The unheralded Bosnian has the game to trouble the sport’s best, and he showed us that he belongs at this level by stunning Stan Wawrinka in Dubai. In Miami though, he faces a stiff challenge in Kyrgios, who is in the form of his life. Dzumhur will pose some problems but Kyrgios should advance without dropping a set.
Pick: Kyrgios in straight sets
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