TennisSection previews the 2021 Miami Open as Andy Murray (WC) meets Lloyd Harris in the First Round on Wednesday March 24th, 2021.
This is perhaps the pick of the First Round matches here at the 2021 Miami Open and tennis fans will be eagerly anticipating it. Andy Murray is a former two-time champion here in Miami and a former world number one, while Lloyd Harris is in the form of his life after a fantastic performance in Dubai. Andy Murray is trying to establish himself on the ATP Tour after a rough past few years and has shown flashes of his old self, however he runs into one of the top young prospects on the circuit. Regardless of the outcome it is sure to be an exciting match to watch, who will come out on top and reach the Second Round here at the Hard Rock Stadium?
Andy Murray is a former world number one and considered one of the top players of his generation. After a fantastic career where he won multiple Grand Slam titles and the Olympic Gold, he has struggled mightily with injuries. In fact, it was thought that he would never play again at one point, so it truly is a pleasure to have him back on tour. Currently ranked #119, it will be a long road back, but he seems committed and what better place to turn it around than Miami, where he was the champion in 2009 and 2013. He has played two tournaments so far this year, in Marseille and Rotterdam, with a 1-2 record at ATP level. While he is not quite the player he once was, he has a wealth of experience and will be confident in defeating the in-form Lloyd Harris here at the 2021 Miami Open.
South African Lloyd Harris is currently ranked a career high #52 in the world, and is perhaps in the form of his life. He upset top players such as Dominic Thiem and Denis Shapovalov en route to his first ATP Final last week in Dubai. Harris played some fantastic tennis there, serving extremely well and impressing with his ability to go toe to toe with the world’s best. He has always shown flashes of brilliance but seems to finally be putting it together. Despite his recent success, he has been dealt a tough blow, against the experienced Andy Murray. Harris is playing the better tennis at this stage of their careers but will certainly not take the former champion lightly. He enters this match as the favorite and will be counting on his serve to advance here at the 2021 Miami Open.
The two players have never faced each other before on the ATP Tour, and their head to head record stands at 0-0. This is sure to be an exciting match, between the big server and one of the best returners in tennis history. While Miami has been a happy stomping ground for Andy Murray, and he is a tennis legend, I do not see him winning this match. His movement is no longer what it was, and he simply is not capable of what he once was. On a normal day I would pick him to win due to his extensive experience, but Lloyd Harris has built some serious momentum in Dubai and has been having a great year. Murray is a fighter and definitely won’t back down from this challenge but Harris simply has too much firepower and should win this match in two close sets. It certainly wouldn’t be a shock if the Brit won here, but the smart money is on Lloyd Harris to win here and advance to the Second Round here at the 2021 Miami Open.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Lloyd Harris to win.
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