Alexander Zverev and Pablo Carreno Busta will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they battle for a spot in the Miami Open final on Friday night.
Zverev has made a much-needed run in Miami, having been saddled with a modest 8-4 record for the 2018 campaign prior to this fortnight after going 9-9 in his last 18 matches of 2017. The 20-year-old German is through to the semifinals thanks to wins over Daniil Medvedev (in a third-set tiebreaker), David Ferrer, Nick Kyrgios, and Borna Coric. Since dropping his opener against Ferrer, Zverev has cruised by set scores of 6-2, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, and 6-4.
Carreno Busta’s trajectory has not been unlike that of his upcoming opponent. The world No. 19 was on fire through most or all of the hard-court summer in 2017, slumped down the stretch, and got off to a slow start this year. But he has once again heated up just in time for the clay-court swing. In 2018, Carreno Busta reached the Indian Wells semifinals; this time around he advanced to the fourth round in he desert and now finds himself in the Miami semis following defeats of Denis Istomin, Steve Johnson, Fernando Verdasco, and Kevin Anderson–surrendering just one set to Anderson in a thrilling 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(6) victory on Thursday evening.
“It was an amazing match,” the Spaniard said after saving one match point against Anderson. “I lost to him 7-6 in the third set (in Indian Wells). Today, at the beginning of the match I started playing really good; returning good, serving good, being very aggressive…. I am very happy with the victory because it’s very important to me–to be in the semifinals in this tournament.”
This, however, may be the end of the line for Carreno Busta. He spent two hours and 42 minutes on the court against Anderson, has no days off, and will be doing plenty of running against a player who will undoubtedly be dictating the majority of rallies.
A confident Zverev, whose previous two matches combined (two hours, 35 minutes) did not last as long as Carreno Busta vs. Anderson, should be able to power his way into a third career Masters 1000 title match.
Pick: Zverev in 2
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WYG?
Zverev in three. Should be a high quality battle from the baseline. Both guys really heating up here in Miami.
Zverev in 2
Took him each day at the last minute, might as well take him tomorrow, and in the final against Del Potro. I’m riding with Zverev until the end at this point.
Carreno – Isner is the FINAL
nooooo, plz no dear god. can you imagine that david and goliath matchup? If PCB would beat Isner in the U.S. I may just lose my mind and he would be moved to a position of one of my top favorite players.
I would put on my tennis shoes and run for miles. Then I would get drunk. Then I would make love to my girlfriend.
PCB in 2. This dude is on fire. Monkey off his back after defeating Anderson reaffirming to himself he’s a much improved player. Best bet of the year.
The fable of The Hare and the Tortoise comes to mind lol.
I picked PCB against Anderson yesterday but I doubt he will get the better of Sascha who has peaked at just the right moment’
Zeverev in 3
Love both of these players, and both playing well at KB…but Sasha in straight.
All the money is coming for The Busta.
Sascha “Plays-With-Britt” FTW in three over Pablo “Honey” BUUUUUU-staaaaahhh!
#LetsGetReadyToRumble!!!
Zeverev spoilt my prediction by dispatching PCB in two sets instead of the three I anticipated.
Ricky was spot on. Some dodgy line calls – thank goodness hawkeye was in use.