Action at the ATP Miami Open continues with a spate of first-round matches. One of them is a big-serving battle between Reilly Opelka and Christopher Eubanks. As always, we here at LWOT predict every match on the slate. So, who will advance?
ATP Miami Day 2 Predictions
Jordan Thompson vs Marcos Giron
Head-to-head: Thompson 1-0 Giron
Giron is one of those players who flies under the radar and pops up in the latter rounds of the draw. He did so in Indian Wells, scoring brilliant three-set wins over Ruud and Popyrin to make the second week. Thompson’s comeback from a two-month injury layoff didn’t have the desired outcome. The Australian lost to Corentin Moutet in three sets. For Thompson, fitness might still be an issue, and Giron’s workman mentality will be hard to overcome.
Prediction: Giron in 3
Jan-Lennard Struff vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Head-to-head: Struff 1-0 Davidovich Fokina
Struff’s recent run is nothing short of a disaster. He’s lost five matches in a row (eight in total since January). And with plenty of points to defend on clay, he enters a make-or-break phase in his season. Davidovich Fokina is already in double digits on the winner’s column thanks to back-to-back runner-up finishes in two of his last three tournaments. Admittedly, he was exhausted in Indian Wells. Now that he’s raring to go again, expect him to return to winning ways.
Prediction: Davidovich Fokina in 2
Matteo Arnaldi vs Yibing Wu
Head-to-head: first meeting
Yibing Wu’s potential is undeniable, but persistent injuries have always undercut it. His wild card entrant is a massive surprise, considering he hasn’t played since last October. He played just 14 times throughout 2024. It is highly unlikely he’ll make a lasting impression in his first match back. Arnaldi is coming off a respectable third-round run in Indian Wells, where he earned his first Top 10 win of the season over Rublev. His only two first-round defeats this season have come against higher-ranked opponents. The Italian will fancy his chances of progression against the injury-prone Wu.
Prediction: Arnaldi in 2
Christopher Eubanks vs Reilly Opelka
Head-to-head: Opelka 3-0 Eubanks
Eubanks enjoyed a sensational fortnight when he competed in Miami two seasons ago. Sadly, he’s been nowhere close to reaching that level in subsequent Masters tournaments that he played. This feels like an evenly poised matchup on paper, but Reilly Opelka has won all three head-to-head meetings in straight sets. That includes a first-round match in Delray a few weeks ago. Opelka is primed to win again, and we’re almost guaranteed at least one tie-break set (all three previous matches have had one).
Prediction: Opelka in 3
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images
