Fresh off Indian Wells, the ATP Men are now in Miami, where they’ll face off at another important 1000 series tournament.

Lots of points and prize money will be at play. The big news before the start of the Miami Open is the absence of both Nadal and Djokovic. Nadal has a stress fracture in his ribs, while Djokovic is unvaccinated and as a result ineligible to play in the United States.

After an incredibly exciting Indian Wells, it will be fun to see the top players at it again at another big-time tournament. Most of the top ten will try to redeem themselves given their lackluster performances at Indian Wells. Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev and Berrettini all had a mediocre tournament. What we saw at Indian Wells was the Incredible play of both Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz – two fantastic players, who have been rising in recent months, and who outplayed the field at Indian Wells. The next two players that made noise at Indian Wells were Nadal and Rublev.

Rublev’s run was no surprise, he’s been on fire lately. Nadal’s run would not have surprised anyone given his hot start to 2022, What was impressive was Nadal’s ability to reach the final with a fractured rib.

Rublev, Fritz, and Alcaraz will all be on display in Miami. Fritz will be seeded 11, while Alcaraz will be 14 and Rublev 5. Alcaraz and Fritz are at the top of the draw and could potentially meet in the quarters. That is of course if Alcaraz takes care of Tsitsipas in the Round of 16 and Fritz takes care of Auger-Aliassime (7) in the Round of 16. If either Fritz or Alcaraz makes it through to the semis, Medvedev (1) awaits. I find it hard to believe that Medvedev will have two bad hard-court events in a row. Look for Medvedev in the semis against Alcaraz or Fritz.

Rublev finds himself at the bottom of the draw, with Berrettini (4) awaiting in the quarters and Zverev (2) potentially in the semis. I like Rublev’s chances to come out of this draw. The one tricky matchup he may have early on is Nick Kyrgios in the second round. That’s a dangerous floater! But if he gets through Kyrgios, the road gets a bit easier for him until Berrettini (4). I see another run by Rublev.

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