The last of the seeded players will get started at the Miami Masters on Saturday, when Hubert Hurkacz and Ben Shelton are among those taking the court. They are facing Thanasi Kokkinakis and Adrian Mannarino, respectively.
(8) Hubert Hurkacz vs. (LL) Thanasi Kokkinakis
Hurkacz and Kokkinakis will be going head-to-head for just the second time in their careers and for the first time in a main draw when they clash in round two of the Miami Open on Saturday. Their only previous encounter came five years ago in Atlanta qualifying, where Kokkinakis prevailed 6-2, 7-6(6). Of course, Hurkacz is a much different player now. In fact, the 26-year-old is a top-10 player (currently No. 9) and a Miami champion (2021). He is 13-6 this season with a title in Marseille and a fourth-round showing at the Australian Open.
Kokkinakis got a lucky-loser spot in the field of 96 and made the most of it by outlasting Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(7) on Thursday night. The 94th-ranked Aussie is playing decent tennis, but since the second week of the year in Adelaide he has not defeated anyone in the top 70 other than a struggling Fabio Fognini. Hurkacz obviously loves this tournament and should be able to begin his bid for a second Miami title in relatively routine fashion.
Pick: Hurkacz in 2
Adrian Mannarino vs. (32) Ben Shelton
This time last year Shelton was playing college tennis for the University of Florida (and winning the NCAA individual singles title). Now he suddenly finds himself seeded at a Masters 1000 event. The 39th-ranked American dominated the Challenger circuit last fall and announced himself on the main tour at the start of this season with a quarterfinal run at the Australian Open. Shelton understandably posted a couple of poor results thereafter, but he played well in Indian Wells with a straight-set rout of Fognini and a competitive three-set loss to Taylor Fritz.
Up first for the 20-year-old on Saturday is a first-ever meeting with Mannarino, who advanced by overcoming Juncheng Shang 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 on Thursday. This will be a fun contrast in styles between the Frenchman’s guile and consistency against Shelton’s huge serving and heavy forehand. In somewhat quick Miami conditions, Shelton may have a slight edge as he tries to keep the 2023 train rolling.
Pick: Shelton in 3
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Hurcatz should dominate, but Shelton-Mannarino coukd be very fun to watch….Shelton in 2.
Hurkacz in two, Shelton in three
Kokkinakis and Shelton in 2
There’s been a lot of determined efforts. That “manhandled” comment must’ve really got to them. lol