Andrey Rublev will fight for a spot in the Miami semifinals on Thursday night against young American Sebastian Korda. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the highest seed remaining, takes on familiar foe Hubert Hurkacz.
(4) Andrey Rublev vs. Sebastian Korda
Andrey Rublev is the undisputed king of ATP 500-level events. The world No. 8 won the event in Rotterdam and he made the semis in Dubai–where he lost to an inspired Aslan Karatsev. He is now on the hunt for his first Masters 1000 title.
His quarterfinal opponent is newcomer Sebastian Korda, the Florida native who came into the Miami Masters with a 9-7 lifetime match record on the main tour. Korda has already pocketed a string of upsets this week, taking out three seeds, Fabio Fognini (10), Aslan Karatsev (17), and Diego Schwartzman (5). It’s the most impressive series of wins so far for the American, but now he faces his biggest test of the tournament.
There is no doubt that Rublev will be the heavy favorite on Thursday evening. The Russian has been a machine on hard courts. He breezed into the quarters without dropping a set, while Korda has had to battle his way through a tricky, seed-filled draw to earn his spot.
Cheryl pick: Rublev in 2
Ricky pick: Rublev in 2
(2) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (26) Hubert Hurkacz
World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas is still looking for his big breakthrough at a Masters 1000 event. He won the Nitto ATP Finals in 2019 but hasn’t yet won a full-draw Masters event. With familiar foe Daniil Medvedev knocked out and the draw fairly open, this represents a good opportunity for Tsitsipas.
His quarterfinal opponent is in-form Pole Hubert Hurkacz. Unlike Tsitsipas, Hurkacz already has a title in 2021. The world No. 37 nabbed the first ATP title of the year in Delray Beach over Korda in the final, but he faltered at the Australian Open–going down in the first round to No. 95 Mikael Ymer.
Like Korda, Hurkacz’s Miami draw was littered with seeds. He took out Denis Shapovalov (6) and Milos Raonic (12) en route to the quarters. Unfortunately for him, he is all too familiar with Tsitsipas. The two men have already played seven times; Tsitsipas has won six of those encounters. Hurkacz’s single victory came at the 2019 Rogers Cup.
Although Tsitsipas might have to work for it, the Greek should find himself in the semis.
Cheryl pick: Tsitsipas in 3
Ricky pick: Tsitsipas in 3
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