Roberto Carballes Baena vs David Goffin Prediction & Betting Tips - ATP Miami

Prediction published on 22/03/2022, 09:12  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 22/03/2022 at 10:38 in Tennis Predictions

David Goffin faces Roberto Caballes-Baena in the first round of the Miami Masters. The winner of this match takes on 17th seed Pablo Carrena Busta in the second round, so will we see an all-Spanish clash?  Baena is the world number 79, eight places below his career high of 71st achieved last year. He hasn't had a great 2022 so far though and is 99th in terms of ranking points earned this year. Being Spanish, he loves playing on clay and did win some matches in the South American tournaments that have been played on that surface this year. His best run of the year came on clay but this time in a Challenger Tour event held in Gran Canaria. He lost in the final to Gianluca Mayer (ranked 104th at the time) but didn't beat any player ranked in the top 250 to reach that title decider. Back on hard courts, he lost in the first round at Indian Wells, winning just five games against Jenson Brooksby. He's never made it past the second round of this tournament or any other Masters event.

David Goffin has slipped down the rankings to 70th place. He began this year 39th but this time last year was 13th in the world. He'll be looking to climb back up the rankings and do well in a Grand Slam event. Goffin has lost in the first round of the last four that he's played. The Belgian reached the semi-finals in Miami six years ago, something like that this year would be just what he's looking for. He did reach a quarter final in Sydney in January but had to retire after losing the first set. He's only won one match in his last six tournaments but did get a couple of victories in the Davis Cup. That was better form and he did only lose in three sets at Indian Wells. His opponent is more at home on clay, so back Goffin to get the win here.