Both the men’s and women’s singles draws are down to the quarter-finals, and it’s hard to tip anyone as a heavy favourite on either side. Roger Federer is the most likely candidate for the title on the men’s side, but he has been left behind in the round of 16 due to rain. He’ll play his fourth round match today against Daniil Medvedev. Four other men begin their quarter-finals today, while the women will complete theirs. Top five seeds Simona Halep and Karolina Pliskova are faced with opposition that is relatively new to playing at this stage of a tournament of this calibre.
Simona Halep (2) vs. Qiang Wang (18)
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Halep is vying for her first title in nearly eight months, as the last winner’s trophy she lifted was in Canada last summer. She is also in the running to reclaim the No.1 ranking with a few more wins. Halep defeated Wang in their only previous meeting, last year in Indian Wells. But 27-year-old from China has taken her career to a new level over the past six months ago. It started in her home country last year, when she won the title in Guangzhou, made the semis of both Wuhan and Beijing, and was a finalist in Hong Kong as well at the WTA Elite Trophy event in Zhuhai. Qiang now looks to reach her second Premier Mandatory semifinal, which would equal her effort from Beijing last September. I expect a lot of gruelling backcourt rallies between these two. Is Halep ready for that, considering her knee is at less than 100%? She looked just fine against Venus Williams on Monday, though Venus herself was at far less than her best. And Simona seems to be quickly settling into her new coaching situation, as this is her first tournament reunited with her former coach, Daniel Dobre. Look for Halep to get through what will likely be an extended three-set battle.
Borna Coric (11) vs. Felix Auger Aliassime (Q)
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This will be the first meeting between the 22-year-old Croatian and 18-year-old Canadian. What a year it’s been thus far for Auger Aliassime. This is his fourth straight tournament where he’s won at least two rounds, now into his first Masters 1,000 quarter-final. As per the ATP, he is the first qualifier to advance to the quarters in Miami since Guillermo Canas 12 years ago. A win today would all but guarantee himself a seeding at Roland Garros. He’ll have the power and speed advantage over Coric, but will he be able to hit through the steady ground game of Coric? Borna is a strong competitor, a boxing fan who likes to bring that mentality to the Court. Experience could play a key factor here, though Felix does not strike me as a young man who will be overwhelmed by this moment. And he’ll be encouraged by the recent success of his compatriots, Denis Shapovalov and Bianca Andreescu. I expect a tight match, but I’m tipping Auger Aliassime for the upset.
Other notable matches on Day 10
- In the other women’s quarter-final, Karolina Pliskova (5) vs. Marketa Vondrousova. The 19-year-old Vondrousova already has victories this month over Simona Halep and Elise Mertens. This is her first career meeting against her elder countrywoman.
- In Wednesday’s other men’s quarter-final, 2018 Champion John Isner (7) vs. Roberto Bautista Agut (22), the Djokovic slayer. Isner holds a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head. All three matches were played on hard courts, and all three matches went the distance.
