Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will both enter the Miami Open in the second round on Friday.
Djokovic exited the first round of the Indian Wells to Botic van de Zandschulp less than two weeks ago so he will hope to play much better in the second part of the Sunshine Double.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz made it to the semi-final last week where, despite winning the second set 6-0, he lost to eventual champion Jack Draper.
The Tennis Gazette looks at their respective potential routes to the Miami Open final with the possibility of an exciting semi-final clash.
Novak Djokovic’s path to the Miami Open final
Djokovic’s last result against Van de Zandschulp proves that he must not overlook his first opponent but one would expect him to progress.
The Serbian would then face American talent Alex Michelsen in the third round and either Lorenzo Musetti or Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth.
| Round | Novak Djokovic’s possible opponents |
| 64 | Rinky Hjikata / Hamad Medjedovic |
| 32 | Alex Michelsen (32) |
| 16 | Lorenzo Musetti (15) / Felix Auger-Aliassime (18) |
| Quarter-final | Daniil Medvedev (7) / Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) |
| Semi-final | Carlos Alcaraz (2) / Casper Ruud (5) / Tommy Paul (12) |
| Final | Alexander Zverev (1) / Taylor Fritz (3) / Jack Draper (6) |
Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are two of Djokovic’s most likely quarter-final adversaries and victory there could set up a thrilling encounter with Alcaraz in the last four.
Number one seed Alexander Zverev is on the other side of the draw, as too are Taylor Fritz and Indian Wells winner Draper.
Carlos Alcaraz’s road to the Miami Open final
Alcaraz will go up against two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist David Goffin in the second round after he beat Aleksandar Vukic.
Similar to Djokovic, the world number three will then face an up-and-coming United States player next (Brandon Nakashima).
Grigor Dimitrov or Karan Khachanoc will likely await the Spaniard in the last 16 and the same applies to Casper Ruud or Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.
| Round | Carlos Alcaraz’s potential opponents |
| 64 | Aleksandar Vukic / David Goffin |
| 32 | Brandon Nakashima (31) |
| 16 | Grigor Dimitrov (14) / Karan Khachanov (22) |
| Quarter-final | Casper Ruud (5) / Tommy Paul (12) |
| Semi-final | Novak Djokovic (4) / Daniil Medvedev (7) / Stefanos Tsitsipas (9) |
| Final | Alexander Zverev (1) / Taylor Fritz (3) / Jack Draper (6) |
The semi-final is where Alcaraz and Djokovic could cross paths, but it might be Medvedev or Tsitsipas across the court from the 21-year-old instead.
The four-time Grand Slam champion’s possible final opponents are no different to Djokovic’s (Zverev, Fritz and Draper).
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