Miami R3 previews and predictions: Khachanov vs. Lehecka, Tsitsipas vs. Garin

Stefanos Tsitsipas has not yet played a match at the Miami Masters heading into third-round action on Monday. Tsitsipas will begin his fortnight against Cristian Garin, while Karen Khachanov awaits Jiri Lehecka.

(14) Karen Khachanov vs. Jiri Lehecka

Khachanov and Lehecka will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in round three of the Miami Open on Monday. Lehecka has been one of the breakout stars on tour this season along with Ben Shelton, compiling a 14-6 record at the ATP level that includes a quarterfinal showing at the Australian Open and a semifinal performance in Doha. The 21-year-old Czech is up to 44th in the rankings and poised to climb higher following Miami victories over Federico Coria and Lorenzo Musetti.

Although he is a decent 10-5 this season, Khachanov’s only good wins (not including a retirement from Sebastian Korda) are over Jack Draper (Adelaie) and Frances Tiafoe (Aussie Open). Since the Australian summer it has been a struggle for Khachanov. The world No. 16 scraped past Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Saturday, but he is still just 2-3 in his last five matches. Khachanov may have a slight edge in the forehand department, but Lehecka is the better all-around player right now and is certainly higher on confidence.

Pick: Lehecka in 2

(Q) Cristian Garin vs. (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas

Tsitsipas may be the No. 2 seed in Miami, but he certainly isn’t the second favorite to take home the title. Due to a shoulder problem, prior to the start of Indian Wells the third-ranked Greek expressed pessimism about his chances of doing well during the Sunshine Double. Sure enough, he lost right away in the desert to Jordan Thompson. Tsitsipas still hasn’t played a match since that result more than two weeks ago, as he received a first-round bye in Miami and then got a walkover from Richard Gasquet.

Up first for the 24-year-old on Monday is a fourth career meeting with Garin, who trails the head-to-head series 2-1 (2-0 at the ATP level). However, the Chilean won their only previous hard-court encounter 7-6(4), 7-5 at the 2018 Le Gosier Challenger. Garin is no clay-court specialist; he made a run to the Wimbledon quarters last summer, just reached the Indian Wells fourth round, and now finds himself in the Miami third round following victories over Marcos Giron and Sebastian Baez. Unless Tsitsipas is suddenly 100 percent, this a great opportunity for the world No. 82 to continue his fine form.

Pick: Garin in 3