Nick Kyrgios is getting night-session treatment on Sunday in Miami, where he will face Dusan Lajovic. Meanwhile, an intriguing battle of youngsters pits Hubert Hurkacz against fellow red-hot player Felix Auger-Aliassime.
(27) Nick Kyrgios vs. Dusan Lajovic
Kyrgios and Lajovic will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time in the last two Miami Opens when they meet again on Sunday night. They faced each other in round two of this same Masters 1000 event in 2018, with Kyrgios cruising 6-4, 6-1. That was no surprise for the 23-year-old Australian, as Miami is without question one of his favorite tournaments. He is 11-3 lifetime with two semifinal appearances and no losses prior to the fourth round.
Lajovic booked his spot in this third-round contest with a pair of three-set victories–first over qualifier Pablo Cuevas and then at the expense of No. 5 seed Kei Nishikori. Although the 28-year-old Serb had been just 4-8 this season prior to arriving Miami, he has quietly worked his way up to 44th in the rankings. Still, nothing bodes well for him heading into this one. He got crushed by this same opponent last March, Kyrgios thrives in Miami, and the 27th seed will be especially motivated by a night session inside a new stadium.
Pick: Kyrgios in 2
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(Q) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. Hubert Hurkacz
When 2019 began, no one could have expected that Hurkacz vs. Auger-Aliassime would be one of the most intriguing matchups in the entire first week of a Masters 1000 tournament. But that is suddenly the case on Sunday in Miami, where the two rising stars will collide for the first time in their careers. Now 18, Auger-Aliassime has been well-known since he was 14–but he is really starting to take off right now. The Canadian finished runner-up on the red clay of Rio de Janeiro, reached the Indian Wells fourth round, qualified for Miami, and has since ousted Casper Ruud and Marton Fucsovics both in three sets.
Ranked three places ahead of his opponent at 54th in the world, Hurkacz was borderline unknown commodity prior to last season and is now enjoying a meteoric rise. The 22-year-old Pole was ranked as low as No. 88 in January, but he captured a Challenger title, advanced to the Dubai quarterfinals, and made a run to the Indian Wells quarters before falling to Roger Federer. Hurkacz has already defeated Nishikori twice in 2019 and he upset Indian Wells champion Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4 on Friday in Miami. In a showdown between two players who have to be fatigued both mentally and physically, Auger-Aliassime’s speed and athleticism should allow him to get plenty of balls back and eventually break down the big guy.
Pick: Auger-Aliassime in 3
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I’m done with Kyrios (after yesterday’s doubles theatrics!)….he’ll lose in 3….and Hurcasz in straight over AA.
FA2 in 3 and I don’t predict any match featuring Nick the Good and Bad and Ugly. What kinda singles player goes apeshit over losing a doubles match? Maybe, like Johnny Mac, he feels its expected of him.
Nik in 2 and FAA in 3
NK in 2 and FAA in 3
oops just realized felix already played but good win for him…
djoko looks in trouble though
At least McEnroe was entertaining when he threw tantrums, not NK
Kyrgios almost in a fist fight with a fan.
Kyrgios wins his match; probably another one more win and he may be meeting FAA. I’m looking forward to that meeting between the two.
Djoko survives as usual even when not playing well; he may have to survive Edmund or Isner and then to face Kyrgios or FAA later?