Jannik Sinner could be the favorite for the Miami Open title after Carlos Alcaraz was seen practicing at the Miami Open.
Sinner won Indian Wells for the first time last week, but he has still not played Alcaraz this year after the Spaniard lost to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.
As a result, Sinner now has an opportunity to make even more tennis history at the Miami Open by becoming just the eighth man in history to complete the sunshine double.
Alcaraz and Sinner are always the favorites to win these titles at the moment, but the latter may now have the edge after training footage was released at the Miami Open.
Carlos Alcaraz loses practice set to Denis Shapovalov in Miami
Rain has been a huge factor at the Miami Open this year, but Alcaraz did still manage to find some time on court to get some practice in ahead of his first match.
Alcaraz practiced with former Wimbledon semifinalist Denis Shapovalov, and they played a practice tie-break in footage that was released by Tennis TV.
Shapovalov has never beaten Alcaraz in a professional match before, but he was able to beat the world number one 7-4 in this tie-break.
Who is the better hard court player – Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner?
Although practice matches are not the be all and end all, there was something notable about many of the points Alcaraz and Shapovalov played.
The courts in Miami are significantly faster than at Indian Wells, and the ball also appears to be bouncing quite low.
As a result, many of the points Alcaraz was losing against Shapovalov saw him hitting the ball into the net.
Alcaraz has a high topspin forehand and therefore tends to prefer the higher bouncing courts, so that he has a higher contact point, so this could be a concern ahead of the Miami Open this year.
Sinner has traditionally preferred faster courts than Alcaraz, and therefore he should probably be the favorite going into the Miami Open after this practice footage has emerged.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s previous results at the Miami Open
While Alcaraz appeared to be struggling with the courts ahead of the Miami Open this year, he has actually won the tournament as many times as Sinner.
The Spaniard won the Miami Open in 2022, which was Alcaraz’s first ever Masters 1000 title victory.
He has been unable to reach the final in Miami since then, with Alcaraz suffering a shock defeat to David Goffin in his only match at the tournament last year.
Who are you backing to complete the sunshine double?
Or do you think both Sabalenka and Sinner will win the Miami Open?
Sinner won the Miami Open title in 2024, and has an 86% winning record at the tournament, compared to Alcaraz’s 76%.
Having reached at least the quarterfinals in his four previous appearances at the tournament, Sinner has shown that the Miami Open really suits his game.
However, after Sinner was banned from tennis for three months last year, he was unable to defend his title.
| Year | Carlos Alcaraz at the Miami Open | Jannik Sinner at the Miami Open |
| 2021 | First Round | Final |
| 2022 | Won the title | Quarterfinal |
| 2023 | Semifinal | Final |
| 2024 | Quarterfinal | Won the title |
| 2025 | Second round | Did not play |
Sinner will look to reclaim the Miami Open title this year, as he looks to complete the sunshine double before Alcaraz.
That is not the only potential issue for Alcaraz, who could face Joao Fonseca in his opening match at the Miami Open this year.
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