Carlos Alcaraz is still the No. 1 ATP player after winning the most recent Indian Wells Masters. However, he has no time to relax in the 2023 Miami Open, where the 19-year-old is the hunted.
Because he’s the top seed in South Beach, Alcaraz got a first-round bye, and he’ll take on Facundo Bagnis to begin his title defence. The Miami Open 2023 odds have him as the tournament favourite because of his great form.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray fans were left disappointed as the former No. 1 was eliminated in the first round, while Stefanos Tsitsipas shared about his injury status ahead of his first match.
This tournament promises to be a good one, so continue to read on below as SBOTOP brings to you the latest Miami Open 2023 updates.
Carlos Alcaraz doesn’t feel any pressure
All eyes are on Alcaraz as he plans to become the eighth player to win the Sunshine Double, but the young Spaniard insists that he isn’t feeling the pressure at all.
Expectations are high for Alcaraz because he shone brightly in California. In the said tournament, he became the first Indian Wells champion to not drop a single set since Roger Federer in 2017, and the first to do so in at least six matches since Rafael Nadal 10 years prior.
“I don’t feel pressure too much. I know the things I have to do. I need to play relaxed and not mind if I lose or if I play well or not,” said Alcaraz.
“My goal is always the same: to feel comfortable on the court. And that is why I am playing at a good level because I am enjoying every single second and playing relaxed,” he added.
At the start of this tournament, Novak Djokovic will have a 740-point lead over Carlos Alcaraz in the ATP rankings because the Spaniard will drop 1,000 points he earned here last year. If Alcaraz doesn’t win this tournament, he’ll cede the top spot to Djokovic.
But Alcaraz is taking everything in stride, especially since he has been dominant this season, owning a 14-1 record thus far. He has fond memories here in Miami because he’s the defending champion, and he’ll look to add more good ones starting on Saturday.
Andy Murray suffers another setback
Dusan Lajovic came into this match with a subpar hard-court record, but that didn’t matter as he picked up his first hard-court win of this season by winning in his first career meeting with Murray with a tally of 6-4, 7-5, on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old Serbian’s strong return game was the key to this victory, as he won 72-per cent of second-serve points. Lajovic also saved two of the three break points that he encountered, while converting all three chances when Murray was the one serving.
It was another flat performance for Murray, who finishes the Sunshine Doubles with a 2-2 record. Murray won two matches at the Indian Wells Masters and had great practices before this tournament, which is why he expected more from himself in this match.
The British international didn’t like his outing against Lajovic, admitting that he struggled with a “change in conditions” from Indian Wells.
“The ball was bouncing up a bit higher and I just mistimed quite a few balls. I wasn’t expecting to play like that, even based on the last few days because I’ve been decent in practice,” lamented Murray.
Murray has yet to win an ATP Masters 1000 event since Paris/Bercy in 2016. With his early exit, he will look to prepare for the clay-court events that will start in April.
As for Lajovic, he’ll take on Maxime Cressy next. Cressy defeated Lajovic in their first-ever meeting during the 2022 Sydney International.
Is Stefanos Tsitsipas 100-per cent fit?
Stefanos Tsitsipas is back in action in Miami after his early exit at the Indian Wells Masters, and he’s hoping that he’ll be able to play pain-free this time around.
“Everything is getting better and I am heading toward the right direction. I hope I get to play with more of an element of fun on the court and not think too much about my arm,” said Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas enters Miami as the second seed, and he has reached at least the fourth round in each of the last three editions of this tournament.
The Greek international will not face the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev until the final, so he has a great chance to make it far, barring injuries.
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