Miami R2 previews and predictions: Rublev vs. Sandgren, Fucsovics vs. Kokkinakis

Familiar foes Andrey Rublev and Marton Fucsovics are on another collision course, this time for the Miami third round. They first have to get past Tennys Sandgren and Thanasi Kokkinakis, respectively, during second-round action on Saturday.

Tennys Sandgren vs. (4) Andrey Rublev

Rublev and Sandgren wil be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they meet again in round two of the Miami Open on Saturday. Their only previous encounter came last fall on the red clay of Hamburg, where Rublev cruised 6-3, 6-3. The eighth-ranked Russian went on to capture that title, part of a 500-level streak in which he won four consecutive tournaments and 23 matches in a row. It finally came to an end last week in Dubai, where he was upended by on-fire compatriot Aslan Karatsev.

Sandgren has been struggling since he squandered seven match points against Roger Federer at the 2020 Australian Open. The 62nd-ranked American went 1-9 in his last 10 main-draw matches in 2020 and he was 1-3 this year heading into Miami. Sandgren needs all the help he can get right now and he got it on Thursday in the form of a Pedro Martinez retirement. Needless to say, a second-round draw against Rublev is where the luck runs out. Miami’s No. 4 seed should be well-rested thanks to an opening bye and he will likely hit Sandgren off the court without too much trouble.

Pick: Rublev in 2

(29) Marton Fucsovics vs. (Q) Thanasi Kokkinakis

It has already been a productive stay in Miami for Kokkinakis, who is finally armed with a clean bill of health and taking advantage of the situation. The 243rd-ranked Australian qualified for the main draw and the disposed of fellow qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki on Thursday. Kokkinakis also qualified for the Australian Open, where he advanced one round before falling to Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets.

Up next for the 24-year-old is Fucsovics, whom he has never faced. Fucosvics has been in stellar form this season, with a 12-4 record that includes a third-round finish at the Aussie Open, a runner-up showing in Rotterdam, and quarterfinal appearances in Doha and Dubai. Kokkinakis is not an easy early-round opponent, but Fucsovics would likely have the edge physically if this contest develops into an extended three-set battle.

Pick: Fucsovics in 3