ATP Miami, after Indian Wells we start with the second Masters 1000 of the season: two Italians dreaming of the main draw starting from the qualifiers.
The caravan of great tennis starts again right after Indian Wells. From California we move to Florida, to Miami, where the second Masters 1000 of the tennis season is scheduled, the last on cement before the tour returns to Europe again and play begins on clay.
It officially starts on Wednesday, March 20 – as far as the men’s draw is concerned – but actually the dances open on the previous two days with the qualifiers. Two Italians will try to access the main draw through the “quali”: they are Luca Nardi and Andrea Vavassori. The former is fresh from the most important tournament of his career, in which he eliminated none other than His Majesty Novak Djokovic, world number one. An immeasurable joy for the class of 2003 from Pesaro, who entered Indian Wells even as a lucky loser. His path then came to a halt in the next match against American Tommy Paul, but his landing in the third round of the California Masters 1000 earned him entry into the world’s top 100 (today he is 96th). In the qualifiers in Miami he was not so lucky: he will face another possible future tennis talent as the Czech Jakub Mensik, two years younger than him. Already in the top 70, the Prostejov native put American Shelton in trouble a week ago in the second round of Indian Wells and starts as a favorite. In short, Nardi will need a feat to get past the round: expect at least 22 games overall.
For Vavassori there is the Croatian Ajdukovic
Less tricky is Vavassori’s opponent, Croatian Ajdukovic. The Italian, who is usually engaged in doubles with Simone Bolelli, is also taking some satisfaction in singles: he can be given confidence.
Australian Kokkinakis, eliminated in Indian Wells by Jannik Sinner, has to watch out for Frenchman Grenier but relying on his powerful serve he should pull through. Australian Walton, on the other hand, has everything to surprise Brazilian Monteiro, who is less effective on the fast court. The challenge between Canadian Diallo and Indian Nagal promises to be balanced: the young North American talent will not have an easy time with the hostile Asian player. In all likelihood, the matches between Klein and Paire and between Nava-Halys will also end in the third set. The same goes for the U.S. derby between Nakashima, who is trying to find himself after a difficult period, and Mmoh. Finally, Nishioka and Svajda should prevail over Ymer and Schwartzman, respectively.
Atp Miami, the possible winners
Kokkinakis in Grenier-Kokkinakis.
Walton in Walton-Monteiro
Vavassori in Vavassori-Ajdukovic
Nishioka in Nishioka-Ymer
Svajda in Svajda-Schwartzman
Atp Miami, the matches that could end in the third set
Diallo-Nagal
Nakashima-Mmoh
Klein-Paire
Mensik-Nardi
Nava-Halys