A potential Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner rematch would not happen until the final, with the two young superstars on opposite ends of the Miami Open 2024 draw preview. Defending Miami champion Daniil Medvedev lands on the same side as Sinner.
All three top seeds have splendid records in Miami. The 4-seed Alexander Zverev has just a 13-8 record in the Vice City, with several early exits. Medvedev has arguably the easiest draw of the four, and he’ll need it after a deep run to the final at Indian Wells.
In a funny moment that went viral on social media, Novak Djokovic was asked what tournament he would like to win. Miami wasn’t the answer– he’s won it six times. (So many tournaments were not the answer!) It made perfect sense for Djokovic to pull out of the 2024 Miami Open to focus on family and get ready for the taxing clay season. But the draw misses him. It misses the Novak cred. It misses the Novak “otherness” of his game style and edge.
On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek has a shot to repeat her Sunshine Double of 2022, and Aryna Sabalenka has drawn an early sticky wicket.
Now to the preview and analysis, section by section.
Miami Open 2024 Draw Preview: Alcaraz
With all seeds getting first round byes, Alcaraz will have most of the first week to cover from his victory at Indian Wells. As the 2022 Miami Open champion, Alcaraz has proven his game works brilliantly here. The Latin crowds adore Alcaraz in Miami, and he will be supported more than any other player.
The Alcaraz draw is nothing he can’t handle. American lefty Ben Shelton could make for an interesting match, as would a potential quarterfinal against 2021 champion Hubert Hurkacz. Carlitos would need his best return game for that match.
Last year’s semifinal loss to Sinner in Miami only heightens the appetite for matchup number nine in the rivalry some have named Sinneraz.
Zverev Quarter
Zverev has played the Miami Open four times and has lost in the Round of 64 four of those times. Whether it’s the heat, the change in conditions or struggles with his second serve, Zverev is inconsistent here.
He also has a very tough draw this year. He could potentially face big serving American Chris Eubanks, who made the quarterfinals here last year. Other superb players in this section include 2023 semifinalist Karen Khachanov, Francisco Cerundolo and Alex De Minaur, who would run him all over the court.
Anchoring this quarter of the Miami Open 2024 Draw preview are young hotshots Holger Rune and Jiri Lehecka. Rune won the last time those two met in 2022, but the Czech is much improved since then.
Miami Open 2024 Draw Preview: Medvedev
Here’s an interesting stat: Medvedev has a perfect record against every other seed in his quarter except one: Ugo Humbert. The Frenchman owns a 1-3 H2H against Meddy. Everyone else, Medvedev has dominated, including Casper Ruud.
The Russian plays well in hot, humid conditions. His much-discussed, ever-changing return position will be something to watch if he meets Chilean Nicolas Jarry in the Round of 16.
If Meddy has the energy to compete in Miami after a long and exhausting run in the desert, he could do well with this draw. His potential semifinal opponent? That’s another matter.
Sinner Quarter
After a bruising semifinal loss to Alcaraz at Indian Wells, Sinner needs to heal. Among his concerns: A mild calf strain, an elbow contusion after a dive for one of Carlitos’s volleys, a swollen left wrist. In addition, Sinner has suffered from blisters and cramps in humid conditions.
Sinner has quality potential opponents in Tommy Paul, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev. Any one of those players could cut his stay in The 305 short. All that said, his Miami Open record is a sensational 13-3. At age 22, he can bounce back quickly.
Note. This section of the draw features a fun first-round match featuring players looking to regain the magic: Andy Murray vs Matteo Berrittini.
Players to watch:
QF: Alcaraz, Khachanov, Medvedev, Sinner
SF: Alcaraz, Sinner
F: Sinner
Miami Open Women’s Preview: Swiatek
Iga crushed the competition and spent very little time on court in winning Indian Wells last week. No seeds in her eighth of the Miami Open 2024 draw preview are much of a bother for the world number one.
That said, the surging American Emma Navarro could present a different kind of matchup than their first and only meeting in Charleston 2018. Navarro, just a 16-year-old playing in her hometown, met Iga’s bakery with a bagel and 2. The American then went on to play at the University of Virginia and has now reached a career-high ranking of 20 on the WTA Tour.
Gauff Quarter
World number three Coco Gauff made the Indian Wells semifinals, but most of her matches were scratchy. Her quarterfinal win featured 17 double faults, for example. Gauff might be exhausted, and besides that, she hasn’t advanced past the Round of 16 in Miami.
Solid players in this quarter include the in-form Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina. With the uneven Ons Jabeur anchoring this section, one of those two Ukranians might be the play here.
Rybakina Quarter
Elena Rybakina’s serve might mix well with these hot conditions of Miami, but the world number four has been injured and did not appear at Indian Wells.
A bang-up potential match in the top section of this area could be Maria Sakkari vs Anna Kalinskya. The newfound confidence and power from the Greek would make for an interesting contrast to the student groundstrokes from the rising Russian.
Sabalenka Quarter
Aryna Sabalenka, who had a tough draw in Indian Wells, might have been a slam dunk for the Miami final, but she might have to face the winner of Paula Badosa and Simona Halep in her first match of the tournament. Badosa, a phenomenal player, has been injured. Halep has been serving a controversial suspension after testing positive for a banned substance.
If she can get through that, Sabalenka might have to face fan favorite Caroline Wozniacki, who is playing leaps ahead of her ranking. Katie Boulter and Victoria Azarenka headline the top of this tricky section.
Players to watch:
QF: Swiatek, Svitolina, Sakkari, Sabalenka
SF: Swiatek, Sabalenka
F: Swiatek
