Miami R2 previews and predictions: Khachanov vs. Kyrgios, Alcaraz vs. Goffin

Carlos Alcaraz will kick off his Miami Masters campaign when he takes the court against David Goffin on Friday. Nick Kyrgios is back in action after winning a match for the first time since 2022, as he faces Karen Khachanov.

(PR) Nick Kyrgios vs. (22) Karen Khachanov

There was no indication that Kyrgios was ready to win a match at the Miami Open, but that is exactly what happened on Wednesday with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Mackenzie McDonald. The 29-year-old Aussie had not found the winners’ circle since 2022 and he was playing just his fifth match since the start of 2023. Kyrgios had previously been 0-3 this season, including a second-set retirement in Indian Wells against Botic van de Zandschulp due to a lingering wrist injury.

Up next for the former world No. 13 on Friday is a fourth meeting with Khachanov, who leads the head-to-head series 2-1. All three of their matchups have gone the distance, including five-setters at the 2020 Australian Open (won by Kyrgios in a fifth-set tiebreaker) and 2022 U.S. Open (won by Khachanov 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7(3), 6-4). The 23rd-ranked Russian has not been playing particularly well this season, but it shouldn’t matter. From a physical standpoint, it’s hard to see Kyrgios stringing together back-to-back impressive performances.

Pick: Khachanov in 2

 

David Goffin vs. (2) Carlos Alcaraz

Jannik Sinner is suspended, but Alcaraz is seeing his chances of regaining the No. 1 ranking in the near future slip away after failing to defend his title in Indian Wells. The third-ranked Spaniard, who lost to eventual champion Jack Draper in the semifinals, at least has an opportunity to gain some ground in Miami–where he fell to Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals last season. Despite that result, Alcaraz generally likes Miami. The 21-year-old is 13-3 lifetime at this tournament with a title in 2022.

Alcaraz’s quest for a second crown in the 305 begins against Goffin on Friday. The head-to-head series is tied at 1-1, with Alcaraz cruising 6-3, 6-3 at 2021 ATP 250 in Melbourne and Goffin pulling off a 7-5, 6-3 upset on the indoor hard courts of Astana in 2022. Three years later, Alcaraz is much closer to his prime (and playing on a much more favorable surface) whereas Goffin is much further away from his best level. The 34-year-old Belgian still registers at a decent 55th in the world, but he is just 4-7 for his 2025 campaign after beating an ice-cold Aleksandar Vukic on Wednesday. An extremely motivated Alcaraz should have no trouble powering through his opening match in Miami.

Pick: Alcaraz in 2