Three to See

Miami Day 9 previews: Sinner vs. Machac, Pegula vs. Alexandrova, Medvedev vs. Jarry

Before each day’s play at Hard Rock Stadium, we’ll preview three must-see matches.

Published Mar 27, 2024

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Jannik Sinner vs. Tomas Machac

The tennis world has been following the Sinner-ssance since the Italian won his first major at the beginning of the year. Prior to the Australian Open, his fan base was growing dramatically after proving to be a worthy adversary to Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. Speaking of the only two higher-ranked players than Sinner, adding another Masters 1000 title to his name would go a long way in further closing the points gap.

Sinner first needs to get through a rising Czech who has confidently made his way to a 1000 quarterfinal for the first time. Machac defeated Andrey Rublev and Andy Murray in back-to-back rounds, respectively, with Murray battling so hard he severely injured his ankle. The 24-year-old, now set to break the Top 50, followed up that decisive tiebreak win by brushing aside Sinner's Davis Cup teammate Matteo Arnaldi.

The first meeting between these two comes at a time when both are feeling great about their games. Let's not forget though, one man has won 19 of 20 matches out of the gate this season. Winner: Sinner

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Pegula is looking to make the semifinals in Miami for the third time in a row.

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Jessica Pegula vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova

Alexandrova should be kicking up her feet after defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets for a spot in the quarterfinals. Instead, she’s preparing for fifth-ranked Pegula, who took out fellow American and rising star Emma Navarro in the fourth round.

Up against the Russian for the second time at the WTA 1000 level, Pegula is looking to make the semifinals three years in a row. Alexandrova is no stranger to the quarterfinals here, matching her 2023 showing that was ended by eventual champion Petra Kvitova.

Pegula is aiming to become the first U.S. woman to win Miami since Sloane Stephens, but it's hard to ignore the way Alexandrova destroyed Swiatek’s hopes of producing a second Sunshine Double in three years. Winner: Alexandrova

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Daniil Medvedev vs. Nicolas Jarry

Here are two 6’6’’, 28-year-olds playing in their tenth season on tour, yet will face off for the first time since their lone April 2019 encounter. Although Medvedev won that contest on red dirt in straight sets, a lot has changed in the time that's passed between meetings.

Medvedev has been in six Grand Slam finals, winning the 2021 US Open and most recently finishing runner-up for the third time at January's Australian Open. He reached world No. 1 in 2022 and currently sits behind three powerhouse names on the ATP Tour.

The Chilean has a recent win over Carlos Alcaraz, on clay, last month in Buenos Aires. After surviving a pair of testy three-setters with Jack Draper and Thiago Seyboth Wild, Jarry knocked out Casper Ruud, winner of 18 hard court matches in 2024, with a 7-6 (1), 6-3 victory Tuesday. While Jarry carries plenty of confidence, Medvedev has plenty of his own through his 17-3 start to the year and nine-match win streak at Hard Rock Stadium. Winner: Medvedev

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