Miami R1 previews and predictions: Diallo vs. Wu, Cilic vs. Popyrin

First-round action in Miami will get underway on Thursday — weather permitting, of course. Gabriel Diallo is going up against Yibing Wu, while Marin Cilic kicks off his fortnight with Alexei Popyrin on the other side of the net.

Gabriel Diallo vs. (WC) Yibing Wu

Diallo and Wu will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they clash in round one of the Miami Open on Thursday. The 37th-ranked Canadian’s Sunshine Double is off to a positive start. Needing some momentum in the worst way with just a 2-6 record in 2026 upon arriving in Indian Wells, Diallo ousted an in-form Mattia Bellucci and world No. 17 Andrey Rublev before falling to Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3.

Due to recurring physical problems, Wu has never been able to sustain any kind of momentum during his career. The world No. 118 from China has been wildly inconsistent so far this year. He reached the Acapulco quarterfinals as a qualifier but lost in Delray Beach in qualifying and is coming off a bad loss in the first round of Cap Cana Challenger qualifying to world No. 236 Andres Andrade in straight sets. Diallo has more momentum in this matchup and should be able to serve his way into round two.

Pick: Diallo in 3

Marin Cilic vs. Alexei Popyrin

Cilic certainly isn’t the player he was when he won the 2014 U.S. Open and peaked at No. 3 in the rankings, but he is turning back the clock with some resurgent play over the past couple of seasons. The 37-year-old is healthy again and back inside the top 50 (currently 49th). Cilic 6-5 so far in 2026 with a third-round showing at the Australian Open and a semifinal performance in Dallas.

Up first for the Croat on Thursday is a fourth meeting with Popyrin, who trails the head-to-head series 2-1. They most recently faced each other last year in Dubai, where Cilic got the job done 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. This season has been woeful for Popyrin, who is 2-7 — and 2-12 in his last 14 matches dating back to the fall of 2025. The 47th-ranked Aussie has never made much noise in Miami and that is a trend that is likely to continue.

Pick: Cilic in 2