Jannik Sinner vs. Nick Kyrgios was supposed to happen in Indian Wells. It will happen in Miami–barring another late withdrawal. Tuesday’s fourth-round schedule also features a showdown between Taylor Fritz and Miomir Kecmanovic.
(WC) Nick Kyrgios vs. (9) Jannik Sinner
Sinner and Kyrgios were scheduled to go head-to-head in the Indian Wells fourth round, but Sinner withdrew because of an illness. Now their first-ever encounter will come at the same stage of the Miami Open, where Kyrgios has continued to showcase his peak form that carried him to the quarterfinals in the desert. The 26-year-old Aussie has ousted Adrian Mannarino, Andrey Rublev, and Fabio Fognini in straight sets–including an especially impressive 6-3, 6-0 beatdown of Rublev.
The difference between that trio of opponents and Sinner is none of them serve big. Kyrgios could break early and often and that allowed him to play without any pressure on his own service games. Sinner, on the other hand, should be able to hold on a relatively consistent basis. It is also worth noting that the 11th-ranked Italian is now 7-1 lifetime in Miami, having reached the final last year before posting ridiculous wins so far this fortnight over Emil Ruusuvuori (saved three match points) and Pablo Carreno Busta (saved five match points). Kyrgios may be favored, but Sinner will be playing loose following those great escapes and he obviously loves this tournament.
Pick: Sinner in 3
(11) Taylor Fritz vs. Miomir Kecmanovic
Fritz vs. Kecmanovic is a matchup that did happen in Indian Wells. They faced each other in the quarterfinals and Fritz prevailed 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-1 on his way to an improbable title. Another triumph in Miami would not be as much of a surprise–even though Fritz isn’t the favorite, of course. The 13th-ranked American is without question one of the best players on tour right now, which is evident in his 15-2 record in his last 17 matches at the Masters 1000 level. So far this fortnight he has defeated Mikhail Kukushkin and Tommy Paul to keep his momentum going.
Kecmanovic is also playing the best tennis of his career. The 48th-ranked Serb reached round four of the Australian Open and he has followed up his Indian Wells quarterfinal run with Miami victories over Jack Sock, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Sebastian Korda. Unfortunately for Kecmanovic, he is 0-3 lifetime against Fritz and it will probably be come 0-4 with his opponent so on fire at the moment.
Pick: Fritz in 2
WWW?
If Nick cares he wins in 2, if not Sinner in 2. The problem is guessing which one will show up.
Fritz in 3 in the other match.
For the record, Nick does care. If he didn’t care he wouldn’t be playing.
Ah, with a serve like his how comes Nik underperforms in TBs?! Smh!!
Kyrgios is disruptive because he is losing. He does it everytime.
Nick got a point penalty at the end of the first set which he lost in a TB and during the change of ends he swore at the umpire which earned him a game penalty amounting to a break of serve.
He ended up losing the 2nd set 63.
Well, Nick obviously doesn’t care!! The umpires r probably getting tired of disciplining him!! And the worse part is that he can’t even portray that bad boy image well!! Sigh!
Just seen Nick behaving like a complete dick. Sinner stayed calm, cool and focussed. So glad he won.
Fed up with toddler, temper tantrums from 26 year olds.
Is it me or are the umpires starting to clamp down a lot more on behaviour.Last week mannarino got warning for rude gesture but it was quite subtle.