LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

Sam Querrey says there are two under the radar ATP players who he’s convinced are going to make the semi-finals in Miami

A general view during a men's singles match between Casper Ruud of Norway and Nicolas Jarry of Chile during the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on ...
Credit: Getty Images/Megan Briggs/Darryl Oumi
Follow us on Google Discover

The 2025 Miami Open is well underway, as the stars of the ATP Tour prepare for their fourth round matches in Florida.

Following an exciting first Masters 1000 tournament of the year in Indian Wells, the best in men’s tennis traveled east for the Miami Open.

World number three Carlos Alcaraz was shocked by David Goffin in his opening match, 7-5, 4-6, 3-6, as he failed to reach the third round of the Miami Open for the first time in four years.

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 - Day 4
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Indian Wells champion Jack Draper was another to lose in the second round, as he fell to defeat against Czech youngster Jakub Mensik.

Top-ten regulars Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas also suffered early exits in the Sunshine State as the draw continued to open up.

With just 16 players remaining, one former American ATP star has picked two big names he thinks will ‘quietly’ reach the semi-finals.

Sam Querrey thinks Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic will reach the Miami Open semi-finals

Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, former world number 11 Sam Querrey gave his predictions for the remainder of the Miami Open.

“They [Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev] are flying 100 miles below the radar,” he said.

“You just look up and they have each won a couple of matches easily.

“[Daniil] Medvedev, [Carlos] Alcaraz have been upset, [Jack] Draper is out, Holger Rune is out, I think we are going to look up later in the week and all of a sudden they are both going to be in the semi-finals.

“I don’t know if that’s going to be the spark they are going to have to get their years going but it feels like they are much-needed runs for both of them.”

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 - Day 6
Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images

The American went on to explain what has happened to the pair this week that may help them reach the latter stages of the event.

“Fortunately for them, they are not a storyline this week, a lot of times that makes it easier to play,” said Querrey.

“I am looking for both of them to quietly work their way to the semi-finals or better.”

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 - Day 7
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Neither Djokovic nor Zverev have dropped a set in either of their opening two matches as they approach the last 16 in fine form.

Djokovic overcame Camilo Ugo Carabelli in an entertaining third-round clash to advance in Miami, weathering the Argentinian storm during the second set.

Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic set for tough fourth round matches against top ATP younsgters

Top seed Zverev will take on Frenchman Arthur Fils in the last 16, a man he has played four times previously on the ATP Tour.

Fils beat Zverev to win the title in Hamburg last year, as tempers flared in a fiery clash on the German clay.

Having suffered defeat to the 20-year-old on home soil, Zverev exacted revenge later in the year, as he beat Fils at his home Paris Masters event, extending his head-to-head lead to 3-1.

MatchWinnerLoserScore
2024 Paris Masters – R16Alexander ZverevArthur Fils6-4, 3-6, 6-3
2024 Hamburg – FArthur FilsAlexander Zverev6-3, 3-6, 7-6
2024 Halle – QFAlexander ZverevArthur Fils6-7, 6-3, 6-4
2023 Hamburg – SFAlexander ZverevArthur Fils6-2, 6-4
Alexander Zverev and Arthur Fils’ head-to-head record

The German would no doubt love to come out on top in their fifth meeting as he looks to reach the Miami Open quarterfinals for the second year running.

Djokovic will take on 23-year-old Lorenzo Musetti in the last 16, whom he has played just once on hard courts despite facing off with the Italian eight times over the past four years.

Musetti has given the Serb real trouble on clay, twice taking Djokovic to a deciding set at Roland Garros, coming up short on both occasions.

Trailing the head-to-head 7-1, Musetti scored his only career victory over Djokovic in Monte Carlo two years ago, battling back from a set down to win, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4.

Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters - Day Five
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It remains to be seen if Musetti can score a second career victory over the 24-time Major champion when the pair play for a place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 25.