2025 Miami Open Men’s Singles Preview
World No. 2 Alexander Zverev is the top seed at the 2025 Miami Open ATP Masters 1000 Men’s Singles tournament, which kicks off on Wednesday, March 19.
This second part of the Sunshine Double is bringing some serious heat with four former champs in the mix.
Honestly, there are a bunch of players who could snag that Miami Open trophy this year.
Stick with me as I dive into my take on the 2025 Miami Open, starting Wednesday, March 19.
Past Miami Open Champs in the Main Draw
With defending champ Jannik Sinner sidelined by a doping suspension, here’s who’s left from the past winners ready to heat up the 2025 Miami Open.
- Daniil Medvedev (2023) – Took down Sinner 7-5, 6-3 two years ago. His cerebral game thrives on these courts.
- Carlos Alcaraz (2022) – The Spaniard dazzled at 18, topping Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-4. He’s struggling a bit, but he can win this event.
- Hubert Hurkacz (2021) – Beat Sinner 6-3, 6-4 for the 2021 title. The Pole’s clutch play and booming serve make him a sleeper threat.
- Novak Djokovic (6-time winner: 2007, 2011-12, 2014-16) – Miami’s all-time king with six crowns. The results haven’t been there, but Joker is still lethal if he’s fit.
The Favorites
Sinner’s absence shakes up the pecking order—here’s who’s favored to seize the throne.
Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz is 13-3 in Miami and has the draw to make a deep run.. He hasn’t won many titles recently, but he has the game and personality to change that at the 2025 Miami Open.
Alcaraz has a relatively easy draw but could meet Daniil Medvedev in the Round of 16 and likely Alexander Zverev or maybe even Novak Djokovic in the semis.
I’m likely betting him to win (+210 at BetMGM).
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has struggled with leg injuries over the past two seasons. He went out early at Indian Wells but has a winnable draw.
Recent nemesis Lorenzo Musetti possibly awaits in the Round of 16, Medvedev or maybe Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarters, and Carlitos in the semi.
Watch him early. If he’s moving well, he might be worth a “Win the Quarter” bet (+200 at BetMGM).
Daniil Medvedev
2023 Miami Open champ Daniil Medvedev has done more arguing with the chair than winning tennis matches-but he has a great draw with the game to win it.
He’ll have a battle on his hands, beginning with possibly Fabian Morazan or Jiri Lehecka in the third. Sebi Korda or Tsitsipas in the Round of 16, Musetti, Joker, and maybe Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarters, and likely Alcaraz in the semis.
Med might be a good bet to reach the quarters (+333).
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev hasn’t gotten past the quarters in any event since his Aussie Open run to the final. He’s dropped three of four, but his draw is tricky, and he admits he is not playing well.
He’ll have a tussle on his hands with Frenchmen Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (3rd) and Arthur Fils (Round of 16) but if he’s focused, there isn’t a single player remaking after the two young guns that he can’t beat.
I’m not betting on him to win anything.
Don’t Count These Players Out
These guys have the tools to spoil the favorites’ plans:
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz is America’s top gun but hasn’t gotten off to the season he’d hoped. The 2024 US Open finalist has the game to pull this off but his draw gets tough from the start.
He’ll await the winner of the Lorenzo Sonego vs. Mariano Navone doozy, and will have to beat players like Flavio Cobolli, Hubert Hurkacz, and Ben Shelton for a potential showdown with Zverev.
He can beat them all, and I expect him to play well enough to maybe win his quarter (+500 at BetMGM).
Ben Shelton
Ben Shelton loves the spotlight, and it will clearly be on him after his run to the Indian Wells quarters.
Shelton has an awesome draw with a potential big bangers ball 3rd-rounder with Hurkacz and likely Fritz in the fourth. He gets past Fritz and he could win the Miami Open.
He’s one I’d bet on to win his quarter (+650), and also a few shekels on him winning the tourney (+2200 at BetMGM).
Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev has been the forgotten man, but he has the serve and the groundies to win this event.
He has a tricky opener with likely Zizou Bergs, but then maybe Matteo Berrettini in the third, speedy Alex de Minaur in the fourth and maybe Fritz or Shelton in the quarters.
Winning Doha proved he can win, and I believe he can make a deep 2025 Miami Open run.
Three Miami Open Sleepers
Keep your radar on these 2025 Miami Open underdogs who could turn heads:
Jiri Lehecka-is 13-5 this season with a big game and has a really nice draw-health is the key and if he is, he could make a run.
Felix Auger Aliassime-leads the tour in hard court wins (16) and has the type of power to make a huge dent in the field.
Alex de Minaur-has the second-most hard court wins this season. Steady as a rock with wheels to burn. If he gets hot here, look out.
Get all of Phil’s best bets and betting tips when you sign-up for the Crush and Rush Sports Betting and Tennis Newsletter.
