Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien are two of the three highest-ranked under-20 players in the world. Fate had already put them against each other in the final of the 2023 US Open junior event, then the 2024 NextGen Finals. Who will have the edge this time as they battle on Day 2 of the ATP Miami Masters? Both are on a wonderful trajectory this year–Tien posting wins over Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev, while Fonseca’s record for the season is an unbelievable 20-4.
ATP Miami Day 2 Predictions
Thiago Agustin Tirante vs Flavio Cobolli
Head-to-head: Cobolli 2-0
Thiago Agustin Tirante has now won 7 matches in a row, taking the Challenger title in Cordoba and qualifying for the main draw here. Altitude clay is where he usually enjoys a ton of success, this run is a little more out of the ordinary but his serve and forehand are weapons that can help him out on any surface. That said, he’s not quite as versatile as a player as Flavio Cobolli. While the Italian is struggling this year, getting two long matches in Phoenix last week should help him find some rhythm.
Prediction: Cobolli in 2
Cameron Norrie vs Bu Yunchaokete
Head-to-head: First meeting
Cameron Norrie has had some decent moments recently, but overall his game seems to have lost a lot of the consistency edge that made plenty of players suffer the last few years. But this could be a winnable clash for him with Bu Yunchaokete yet to show that his tennis from the Asian Swing last year can translate to other courts and conditions elsewhere. Daniil Medvedev picked him apart easily in Indian Wells, Norrie will take longer but might attempt something similar tactically.
Prediction: Norrie in 3
Zizou Bergs vs Nuno Borges
Head-to-head: Bergs 2-1
This is already their third meeting this season. The Auckland semifinal was wild with Nuno Borges losing after serving for the match, while the clash in Marseille more predictably went to the better indoor player in Zizou Bergs. While the Portuguese didn’t defend his Phoenix title last week, he reached the semifinals and it took a special performance from Alexander Bublik to beat him. Seems like on these courts he’ll have at least a decent shot to avoid a third consecutive loss to Bergs.
Prediction: Borges in 3
Joao Fonseca vs Learner Tien
Head-to-head: Fonseca 2-0
These two have some good history together with junior Slam meetings in 2023 (including the US Open final) and two clashes at the NextGen Finals in December. Joao Fonseca has been winning these matches not by figuring stuff out in the matchup and playing smart, but rather through 15-minute patches of winners galore. He’s the favorite again, but has to be cautious as on an off-day Learner Tien is more than capable of absorbing his pace and coaxing him into errors.
Prediction: Fonseca in 3
Main Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui/The Desert Sun/USAToday Sports
