Sam Querrey and Jack Sock predict who is going out first at the Miami Open between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev

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Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic are searching for a big win in Miami having struggled for form recently.

With Jannik Sinner banned from tennis for three months, many predicted the likes of Djokovic and Zverev would step up and win big titles in his absence.

That hasn’t been the case, as the pair have combined for just five match wins on the ATP Tour since the Italian last took to the court in Melbourne.

Djokovic’s win over Rinky Hijikata in Miami was his first since the Australian Open as he advanced to the third round with a comfortable straight-set win, 6-0, 7-6.

World number two Zverev is getting set to take on British qualifier Jacob Fearnley in his opener, having suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Tallon Griekspoor in his last outing at Indian Wells.

Following Carlos Alcaraz’s Miami Open exit, Zverev and Djokovic now look to be the two favorites for the title, as three former American stars predict which player will go further in Florida.

Jack Sock says Novak Djokovic is out to ‘prove something’ and thinks he will reach the semis in Miami

Speaking on their Nothing Major podcast, Jack Sock, Sam Querrey, and Steve Johnson discussed Zverev and Djokovic’s chances in the Sunshine State.

“I am going [Alexander] Zverev,” said Querrey.

“I’m going Zverev, [he] is maybe going to win the title.”

Querrey’s co-host Johnson agreed, suggesting that the 27-year-old’s poor run of form will be a motivating factor.

“I think Zverev does,” he said.

“I think Zverev has more to get after at this point, he just needs it more.”

Former world number eight Sock disagreed as he picked Djokovic to go further in Miami.

“No, I think Novak [Djokovic] goes further,” he said.

“I also don’t think Novak likes to be out in the second or third round, I think he wants to prove something.

“I also think his draw looks pretty enticing, I think Novak is going to be in the semis.”

Djokovic is now the highest-ranked player remaining in his section of the draw as he looks like a strong favorite to reach the Miami Open final.

By seeding, a semi-final clash against Casper Ruud would provide Djokovic his toughest test on his way to the final.

The Norwegian star is lucky to still be in the competition, however, barely surviving a tough second-round clash with Djokovic’s countryman Miomir Kecmanovic.

Can Alexander Zverev return to winning ways at the Miami Open?

The German star has entered four tournaments as the top seed and heavy favorite since reaching the Australian Open final in January, failing to reach the semi-finals on all four occasions.

Looking for a better result in Miami, Zverev will take on Fearnley in the second round, the man he played in Melbourne earlier this year.

Zverev beat Fearnley in the third round of the Australian Open, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, and has a great chance to take a 2-0 lead in their head-to-head when he takes on the 23-year-old Brit on Saturday.

His route to the final would still be difficult, however, with several top ten players standing in his way.

Alexander Zverev’s potential route to the 2025 Miami Open final

• SF – Taylor Fritz [3]
• QF – Jack Draper [6]
• 4R – Frances Tiafoe [16]
• 3R – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard [28]
• 2R – Jacob Fearnley

A potential quarter-final clash with Indian Wells champion Jack Draper could prove tricky as the world number seven looks to be in fine form.

It remains to be seen if Zverev can enjoy a strong week in Miami, but he’ll certainly hope to kick off his campaign with a big win over Fearnley on Saturday, March 22.