ATP Masters Miami: Zverev favorite in the premiere against Daniel
In his first match at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Miami 2023, Alexander Zverev meets the Japanese Taro Daniel (from 1:30 a.m. live on TV and live stream on Sky and WOW and in our match tracker). Even if the German starts as a favourite, he will not take the game lightly.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Mar 23, 2023, 11:15 pm
Always amazing when you realize that two players who have actually been playing on the ATP.Tour for years have never competed against each other. The fact that this applies to Alexander Zverev and Taro Daniel also shows the different spheres in which the two normally move. While Daniel, who was born in the USA but plays for Japan, usually has to fight for his right to participate in the big tournaments, Zverev often opens with a bye due to his success. Just like now in Miami.
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So there is the premiere between Daniel and Zverev today. Actually a solid bank for the German number one, but the first match in a tournament is often the most difficult. This time Daniel didn't qualify via the main draw, but came into the main draw with a wildcard and didn't have to do too much to qualify for round two: opponent Arthur Rinderknech gave up in the first set.
According to local reporters, Zverev was really pissed off in Indian Wells after losing to Daniil Medvedev. A good sign, actually. Because apparently Zverev sees himself quite early in his comeback season so far that he can play with the very best in the industry. This was also confirmed by brother Mischa Zverev at a press conference on the occasion of the Munich ATP tournament this week.
At Zverev, serve and return must come
The 30-year-old also showed in Tennis Paradise that Taro Daniel is not to be underestimated as an opponent: After qualifying, he first won against Roberto Carballes Baena and then also against Matteo Berrettini. The end was only in round three against Cameron Norrie.
Nevertheless, all the threads are once again in Alexander Zverev's hands. If serve and return work to a normal extent, then the native of Hamburg will win this match.
On the other hand, when the setbacks land on the T-line, things get difficult. Incidentally, what Mischa also picked up in the PK: If the return is too short, then you don't have to discuss his brother's perhaps too defensive position at all. Then playing from far behind the baseline is just a matter of necessity.
Here is the individual tableau in Miami
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