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Miami Open 2022 Preview: With no big 3, who can clinch the 2nd ATP Masters 1000 title?

The dust is yet to settle on the frantic Indian Wells ATP Masters 1000 as the 2022 Miami open is upon us. After a shocking result in the finals of Indian Wells, the spot of unpredictability looms large on who will take the crown in the heat of Florida. 

Big 3 miss out on Miami

While big names like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer remain key absentees, this year's Miami 1000 Masters could bring a surprise winner as it did last year in the form of Hubert Hurkacz, but Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini will all come out to make a mark.

Medvedev with eyes on the prize:

The defending US Open champion will have a point to prove in Miami as he takes the court after losing his No.1 ranking. 

The Russian who lost to Gael Monfils in the California event has been playing some of the best tennis of his career. 

He led by 2-0 sets in the final of the Australian Open, before Nadal came storming to win the final. Miami could serve as the perfect healing medicine for the Russian.

No big names, can Zverev carry the baton?

While Nadal had already announced he won't be playing in the Miami Masters, Novak Djokovic was very much a certainty to miss the tournament as he went unvaccinated. Roger Federer continues to struggle as he enters the wrong side of the ageing scale.

However, this could produce a window of opportunity for Alexander Zverev. The German won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics last year and with the tag of second seed, it won't come as a surprise if he ends up lifting the trophy.

Wimbledon and French Open runners-up to have their say

Wimbledon runners-up Matteo Berrettini will come with all guns blazing at the 2022 Miami Open as he tries to claim his first ATP 1000 Masters title. His best performance in the Masters 1000 event was in Madrid last year, where he lost to Zverev.

Stefanos Tsitsipas will be another player who will try to get one better in this year's event, he won't he Monte-Carlo Masters 1000 last year, which happens to be his only success at this level.

Others to watch out for

Taylor Fritz will certainly act as an inspiration at the 2022 Miami Open after he ended Nadal's unbeaten run in 2022 to win the Indian Wells. 

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada, Indian Wells semi-finalist Carlos Alcaraz, will all bid to win the Miami Open title this year. The open draw with big absentees can produce a string of surprises as players try to make their mark.

Notable possible matches

If everything goes according to plan, two-time champion Andy Murray will meet No.1 seed Medvedev in the second round. Fritz is all set to meet Alcaraz in the later stages.

Miami Open 2022: Sportco Predictions

Daniil Medvedev to beat Alexander Zverev in the final

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