Americans Jack Sock and Tommy Paul will kick off their main-draw campaigns at the Miami Masters on Thursday. Sock is going up against Indian Wells quarterfinalist Miomir Kecmanovic, while Paul meets Benjamin Bonzi.
(Q) Jack Sock vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Most importantly for Sock, he is healthy right now following multiple years of injury troubles. Not coincidentally, he is finally starting to build some momentum on the court. The 144th-ranked American captured the Indian Wells doubles title with John Isner last weekend and then promptly qualified for the Miami Open with victories over Aleksandar Vukic and Steve Johnson. Sock is now looking to advance at least one round for a sixth time in six tournaments this season (so far three at the ATP level and two Challengers).
Up next for the 29-year-old is Kecmanovic, who is 13-6 in 2022 with a fourth-round performance at the Australian Open, two quarterfinal results on the Golden Swing, and a quarterfinal run in Indian Wells. That is great news for the 48th-ranked Serb, but he has also played a ton of tennis and may not be entirely fresh. This should be one of the best first-round matches and it’s a good opportunity for Sock to capitalize on home-court advantage and continue his resurgent form.
Pick: Sock in 3
Tommy Paul vs. Benjamin Bonzi
Paul and Bonzi will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers and for the second time this year. They previously faced each other at one of the 250 events in Adelaide a couple of months ago, when Paul prevailed 6-4, 7-6(6).
Another fun one should be in the cards with both players in stellar form. Paul has already won 12 main-tour matches in 2022, including an upset of Alexander Zverev en route to the Indian Wells third round. Bonzi, ranked 22 spots behind at No. 59, also reached the last 32 in the desert–building on a semifinal showing in Marseille. The 25-year-old Frenchman is finally starting to making the jump from Challenger domination to ATP-level success, but Paul has more experience and is also playing at home.
Pick: Paul in 2
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