Hubert Hurkacz vs Carlos Alcaraz Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Miami

Prediction published on 01/04/2022, 06:46  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 01/04/2022 at 08:15 in Tennis Predictions

Not since 2016 has a player successfully defended the Miami Masters men's singles title. Hubert Hurkacz is only two matches away from achieving that feat and takes on Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final. The winner of this match will face either Casper Ruud or Francisco Cerendulo in the final. Hurkacz is the eight seed, with his opponent six places below him. The Pole began this tournament ranked 10th in the world but wlll need to retain his title to stay in the top ten. This is his second semi-final in three tournaments. He recently got to the last four in Dubai but gave away a lead to Andrey Rublev. In Miami, Hurkacz has beaten Arthur Rinderkneck, 29th seed Aslan Karatsev (in three sets), Lloyd Harris and top seeded Daniil Medvedev in the quarter finals. In his four matches in Miami, there have been three tie-breaks and a 7-5 set.

Carlos Alcaraz was ranked 132nd in the world this time last year. He's been storming his way up the rankings in the past 12 months and began this event in 16th place. His run to the semi-finals has him up to 14th in the live rankings. A win here will take him above his opponent and up to 12th. The Spaniard has already won one tournament this year. That was a clay court event held in Rio de Janiero and you can expect him to be a major contender in the upcoming European clay court season. He is in top form on hard courts too and made it to the Indian Wells semi-final, losing to Rafa Nadal. In Miami, he's beaten Marton Fucsovics, Marin Cilic (seeded 21st), third seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas and in his quarter final, unseeded Miomir Kecmanovic after losing the first set. He's won 14 of his last 15 matches and can beat Hurkacz to reach the final.