Miami R3 previews and predictions: Kyrgios vs. Fognini, Sock vs. Coric

Crandon Park could be in for a wild one on Monday, when Nick Kyrgios and Fabio Fognini collide during third-round action. Indian Wells semifinalist Borna Coric, meanwhile, may have No. 8 seed Jack Sock on upset alert.

(17) Nick Kyrgios vs. (15) Fabio Fognini

Kyrgios and Fognini will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers and when they battle for a place in round four of the Miami Open on Monday. This marks Kyrgios’ third tournament–and first since Australia-of what has been yet another injury-plagued season, as he missed the February swing and Indian Wells due to an elbow problem. But the 20th-ranked Australian appears to have made a smart move by taking a break and not returning until fully 100 percent. In his first match since Feb. 4, Kyrgios crushed Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday night.

Fognini is flying high in 2018, to the extent that he could find himself temporarily inside the Nitto ATP Finals cut line (top eight) if he reaches the Miami quarterfinals. The 18th-ranked Italian boasts a 15-5 record that includes a title in Sao Paulo, semifinal showings in Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, a fourth-round performance at the Australian Open, and a 6-2, 6-4 rout of Spanish wild card Nicola Kuhn on Saturday. On anything other than clay, there is no reason why Kyrgios should not have the upper hand…but it would not be a Kyrgios-Fognini match if it isn’t a tumultuous three-setter.

Pick: Kyrgios in 3

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(29) Borna Coric vs. (8) Jack Sock

Sock and Coric will be squaring off for the third time in their careers on Monday. The head-to-head series is tied up at one win apiece, with Sock cruising 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 at the 2015 French Open and Coric scoring a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in an away Davis Cup tie between Croatia and the United States two years ago.

Coric is coming off arguably the best tournament of his career in Indian Wells, where he won five matches–including a 6-1, 6-3 blowout of Roberto Bautista Agut and an upset of Kevin Anderson–before falling to Roger Federer 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. The world No. 36 improved to 12-4 this season by overcoming Leonardo Mayer 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-4 during second-round action in Miami. Sock held off Yuki Bhambri 6-3, 7-6(3) in his opener despite an admitted “atrocious” serving display (53 percent, five double-faults), but the eighth seed is still a dreadful 3-5 for his 2018 campaign. Lacking confidence, Sock may have tough time hitting through Coric as the Croat’s counter-punching is sure to force plenty of errors at the end of extended rallies.

Pick: Coric in 2

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