Christopher O'Connell vs Jannik Sinner Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Miami

Prediction published on 25/03/2024, 05:58  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 25/03/2024 at 06:59 in ATP Miami Predictions

Jannik Sinner has an excellent record in the Miami Open. He's reached the final in two of the past three years and takes on unseeded Christopher O'Connell for a place in this year's quarter finals. Up next for the winner is a last eight against more unseeded opposition, either Tomas Machac or Matteo Arnaldi. Sinner is the second seed in this tournament and third in the live rankings. The Italian has won two titles this year, only lost once and is top of the ATP Live Race. His only loss on an outdoor hard court this year was to Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells semi-final. Before that he'd won the Austtralian Open and the Rotterdam indoor title. So far in Miami, he's beaten qualifier Andrea Vavassori in straight sets but then had to go to a final set to get past 25th seeded Tallon Griekspoor. He lost the first set in that match but then levelled and only dropped one game in the decider. He's only had one previous match against O'Connell and lost in straight sets. That was on this surface in 2021 but Sinner has improved immensely since then.

Christopher O'Connell was ranked 66th at the start of this Masters 1000 tournament. He's up to 58th in the live rankings and a win over Sinner will see him beat his current career high of 53rd achieved last September. The Australian is playing in this tournament for the third time but before this year had never won a match. That's all changed this year with three wins over qualifier Vit Kopriva, 21st seed Frances Tiafoe and wild card Martin Damm. He's yet to drop a set but the last three he's played have all been won via a tie-break. A win here will take him into his second quarter final of the year. We tip Sinner to win this in straight sets.