REIGNING champion Daniil Medvedev has the opportunity to defend a title for the first time in his career, coming into the 2024 Miami Open ATP 1000 event off the back of a finals appearance at Indian Wells. Medevedev is yet to successfully defend a title, and he comes in as one of the favourites after defeating Jannik Sinner in the final 12 months ago.

Medvedev is third seed at Miami behind top seed Carlos Alcaraz ad Sinner, who faced off in last year’s semi-final. It is seemingly eerily similar to 12 months ago, with Alcaraz also winning Indian Wells in 2023, before backing up and reaching the last four in Miami. Fellow Russian Karen Khachanov was the other semi-finalist. Of course, world number one Novak Djokovic was a late withdrawal from the ATP 1000 event.

FIRST QUARTER:

Alcaraz tops the draw but has some interesting opponent on the road to going deep, with a couple of entertainers in his eighth including Gael Monfils and Ben Shelton, with the former taking on 32nd seed Borna Coric if he can get past Dusan Lajovic. Past Miami Open winner Hubert Hurkacz is also in the quarter, with a third round date against local hope Sebastian Korda. The seeds look to be the main dangers to Alcaraz in this quarter with Grigor Dimitrov a strong force on his day.

SECOND QUARTER:

Without Djokovic, German Alexander Zverev has been upgraded to the fourth seed and could have a fascinating Round of 64 match against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime up first. For the most part he should not have any issues getting to the quarter finals ,with 15th seed Khachanov the main threat. It i great to see Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori returning from injury in the section. In the bottom eighth, Aussie Alex de Minaur has a soft draw that should see the ninth seed make it through to face either sixth seed Holger Rune or 32nd seed Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round.

THIRD QUARTER:

An intriguing quarter of the draw, reigning champ Medvedev does have a few challenges along the way, but should be able to dispel them. First up will likely be Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, while also having the likes of past Indian Wells winner Cameron Norrie and in-form Frenchman Ugo Humbert along the way. Norwegian Casper Ruud should meet Medvedev in the quarter finals, though local talent Taylor Fritz will be the huge danger. In terms of dark horses , Chinese wildcard Juncheng Shang is drawn to face Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the second round if he makes it past Miomir Kecmanovic, while Brit Jack Draper has enormous potential.

FOURTH QUARTER:

The pressure valve was released on Sinner last tournament with his 19-game winning streak ending at the hands of Alcaraz and now the Italian can get back to work. He is easily the most consistent in the bottom quarter, with the winner of Indian Wells semi-finalist Tommy Paul and the ever-dangerous Frances Tiafoe set to be a fourth round opponent. A potential fourth round clash between Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas is a mouthwatering one if both players are at their best. A couple of first round contests include veterans Andy Murray and Matteo Berrettini, and young guns Arthur Fils and Matteo Arnaldi.

PREDICTIONS:

Quarter Finals:
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs. [28] Sebastian Korda (USA)
[4] Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. [9] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
[12] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs. [3] Daniil Medvedev (RUS)
[5] Andrey Rublev (RUS) vs. [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA)

Semi-Finals:
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs. [9] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
[3] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs. [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA)

Final:
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs. [2] Jannik Sinner (ITA)

Winner: [1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)