Miami Masters 2023: Ruud vs Ivashka Prediction, Odds & Pick

TennisSection previews the 2023 Miami Masters first-round match featuring Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka on Friday, March 24, 2023.

Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka Match Preview

Will Casper Ruud get the win? Will Ilya Ivashka pull off the upset? This will be an interesting one, where we have the defending runner up to play a very tough opponent in his opening round. Who will triumph and move through to the Round of 32 at the 2023 Miami Masters?

Casper Ruud has looked like a shadow of his former self of last year, hardly winning matches and simply lacking the firepower he used to possess, being outplayed from the baseline which used to be his domain. He’s tried coming forward more often, and to his credit it’s worked quite well. A player like Ruud should always bounce back, and what better place to do so than here in Miami? Let’s see if the Norwegian can grab an important victory and return to the Round of 32 at the 2023 Miami Masters.

Ilya Ivashka was struggling for quite some time before grabbing a couple of wins and taking a set off Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells. Though 3rd seed Casper Ruud seems like a daunting task, an upset may be looming in Ruud’s near future. Ivashka plays a big game which can be especially dangerous for Ruud, also considering the demolition Ivashka handed to Daniel Altmaier in the first round. Let’s see if Ivashka is able to pull off this upset and book himself a place in the Round of 32 at the 2023 Miami Masters.

Casper Ruud vs Ilya Ivashka Prediction and Pick

Casper Ruud and Ilya Ivashka have never met before, with this being their first career meeting. Ruud simply hasn’t looked good this season, as aforementioned lacking serious power from the baseline. Ivashka is a big hitter and a very aggressive-minded player. If Ruud isn’t able to dictate with his forehand, I suspect things could go very wrong for him. Though no matter how much someone like a top 10 player is struggling, it will always be a great challenge to put him away. I still expect Ivashka to come in with the right mindset and grab a massive win to move on to the Round of 32 at the 2023 Miami Masters.