Top seed Alex Zverev improved to 14-5 for the year after a workmanlike 7-5, 6-4 win over Aussie Jordan Thompson. Zverev played at a high level, ending the match with 22 winners to 18 unforced errors.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Miami Open
Miami Gardens, Miami, Florida (Outdoor Hardcourts)
Selected Round of 16 Matches- 26th March
Alex Zverev (1) 0.39 vs Arthur Fils (17) 1.95
Zverev will be aiming to win three consecutive matches for the first time since this year’s Aussie Open. Zverev started the year in emphatic fashion, reaching his 3rd career Grand Slam final in Melbourne (losing to Sinner in straight sets). I wonder if that straight-sets defeat affected his confidence. He never progressed beyond the quarterfinals in his four subsequent events, suffering a poor second-round exit to Griekspoor at Indian Wells. But Zverev appears to have found some semblance of form in Miami, clearly desperate to pick up some world ranking points while Jannik Sinner is away. Zverev reached the final of this event back in 2018 (when it was still held in Key Biscayne). But he seems quite adept at Miami Gardens, reaching the semifinal stage last year.
Young Frenchman Arthur Fils just survived an absolute marathon, holding off a spirted Frances Tiafoe surge to triumph 7-6 (13), 5-7, 6-2. He essentially overpowered the American, nailing 21 aces and hitting nearly 50 total winners. He was suffering with cramp towards the end and will require a quick recovery as he looks to take on Zverev (he withdrew from this year’s Aussie Open 3rd round due to a foot issue). So, Fils does have a history of physically breaking down. Fils won two titles last year but hasn’t looked at his best in the early stages of this season. But he has ignited during this ‘Sunshine Double’, reaching a maiden Masters 1000 quarterfinal at Indian Wells (where he pushed Medvedev to three sets). Fils is now 5-1 during this ‘Sunshine Double’, and won’t go into this match with any fear. On the contrary, the hard-hitting Frenchman will feel quite confident given their recent head-to-head record.
The Verdict: Zverev to win in straight sets at 1.04- Zverev leads the head-to-head 3-1. However, all three of their 2024 matches went to three sets, with Fils conquering the German in the Hamburg final. So, Fils has some decent muscle-memory to call on here. However, I think the nature of his history over Tiafoe cold have consequences here. Zverev was clinical against Thompson and should easily progress to another Masters 1000 quarterfinal.
