TennisSection previews the 2022 Miami Open as Andrey Rublev takes on Nick Kyrgios in the second round on Friday, March 25th, 2022.
There could be fireworks when Andrey Rublev meets the enigmatic Nick Kyrgios in a blockbuster second-round match at the Miami Open. Rublev has been on a hot streak in recent weeks and takes on the Australian wild card that seems to be enjoying his tennis again. Who will prevail?
Andrey Rublev’s streak is no more. It stopped at 13, at the hands of Taylor Fritz, who proved his win over the Russian was no fluke at Indian Wells. Fritz would go on to end another streak by beating an in-form Rafael Nadal in the final at the Californian desert. Rublev though, shouldn’t be too down on himself despite that straight sets defeat against the American in the semifinals. He was simply playing an inspired opponent who wouldn’t miss during the fortnight. Rublev returns to the Miami Open looking to emulate last year’s run or even do better. He made the semifinals last season before losing to eventual champion Hubert Hurkacz.
Nick Kyrgios, for his part, is playing with renewed confidence. After battling depression, asthma and Covid 19, the flamboyant Aussie is back playing tennis again. Speculation was rife during the off season that we may have seen the last of Kyrgios on a tennis court. But if Kyrgios takes his stand in the not too distant future and bring the curtain down on his tennis career, it would be on his own terms. Right now, the 26-year-old is a rejuvenatedplayer. And I always reiterate, as long as he wins matches, Kyrgios will stick around. So do not be surprised if he fashions a major upset on Friday against the much-fancied Andrey Rublev.
Andrey Rublev and Nick Kyrgios are currently tied at 1-1 in their head-to-head. Matches between the pair of them have been tight. Kyrgios won their first meeting on Russian soil at the Kremlin Cup in three sets. But it was Rublev who triumphed on the grandest stage, beating the Aussie in their third-round match at the US Open in 2019. By dint of ranking, Rublev should be the favorite coming to the Miami Open. He has played superbly in recent weeks after a slow start to the year. Kyrgios, however, will be no slouch. The former World No. 13 can turn it on even with his back against the wall. Something tells me Kyrgiosmight raise his level again on Friday.
Free Tennis Pick and Prediction: Nick Kyrgios to win in 3 sets.
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