2017 Miami Masters: 5 matchups we would love to watch

The Indian Wells Masters came to an enthralling end with Roger Federer beating compatriot and friend Stan Wawrinka in the final in straight sets to win his 5^th Indian Wells Masters title, his 25^th Masters 1000 title, and 90^th career title. Now, we’re off to Miami for the hardcourt-season ending Masters 1000 tournament.

The main draw for the tournament has already been released and the first round itself has plenty of evenly matched matchups. Looking at the main draw, many fans have picturized their most awaited matchups and here are five matchups we would love to see at the Miami Masters.

#5. Stan Wawrinka vs Alexander Zverev

While Stan Wawrinka has been establishing himself to be equal to the Big Four, the 19-year old Alexander Zverev has established himself as the future of tennis with many critics touting him as a future Grand Slam champion and World No.1.So far, Wawrinka and the younger Zverev have met once, at the final of the St. Petersburg Open where Zverev shocked the newly-crowned US Open Champion in three sets to win his maiden ATP title. While Zverev put up a few promising performances this year, Wawrinka put up impressive performances at the Australian Open and Indian Wells Masters where he reached the semis and final respectively.Both Wawrinka and Zverev who are seeded first and 16^th respectively, are in the first quarter of the main draw and will be locking horns in the fourth round of the tournament provided they reach there.

Both players exited the Miami Masters in the second round last year and are expected to have a strong performance this year, with their matchup expected to be an electrifying one.

#4. Rafael Nadal vs Milos Raonic

Nadal and Raonic will most likely play each other in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters

Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic have played each other twice so far in 2017, each beating the other once. Raonic defeated Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International before Nadal saw him off in straight sets in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open this year in three close sets. Since then, Nadal has reached the final of the Mexican Open and the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters while Raonic has reached the final of the Delray Beach Open and was scheduled to play at Indian Wells but pulled out of the finals at the former tournament, then withdrawing from Indian Wells entirely due to a hamstring injury.

Both Nadal and Raonic have met each other nine times with Nadal leading the head to head by a comprehensive score of 7-2.According to the draw, both Nadal and Raonic are expected to meet each other in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters and looking at their present form, the possibility of this matchup is fair. But factoring in Raonic’s hamstring injury, the Canadian ace could have an issue going forward.

#3. Stan Wawrinka vs Nick Kyrgios

Stan Wawrinka will most likely face Nick kyrgios in the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters

Nick Kyrgios has been putting on a number of promising performances this year, implying that his best isn’t far behind. He defeated Novak Djokovic twice within days, in the quarter-finals of the Mexican Open and then in the third round of the recently concluded Indian Wells Masters.

Stan Wawrinka, on the other hand has been having a good year so far, having reached the final of the Indian Wells Masters in addition to the Australian Open semi-finals, where he lost in five tough sets to eventual champion Roger Federer.Both Kyrgios and Wawrinka have played each other twice with the head-to-head all square at 2-2. Had it not been for Kyrgios withdrawing from his quarter-final against Roger Federer at Indian Wells, there would have been a slight possibility that Wawrinka may have faced Kyrgios in the final.Kyrgios and Wawrinka share a very controversial moment during the 2015 Rogers Cup where, during a court change, Kyrgios insulted Wawrinka by telling him about fellow tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis having an affair with his girlfriend. Kyrgios, however claims that he has buried the hatchet with the Swiss since then.According to the draw , Kyrgios and Wawrinka would be meeting at the quarter-finals of the Miami Masters. Given Wawrinka’s form, there is no stopping from reaching the last eight. Kyrgios has been in good form lately and the only obstacle he might face before the quarter-finals would be 8^th seed David Goffin.

Either way, the fans would love to witness a battle between Wawrinka and Nick Kyrgios as both seem to be in good form and their encounter would be scintillating.

#2. Roger Federer vs Juan Martin Del Potro

A third round match at the Miami Masters between Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro is bound to be played

Roger Federer has made nothing short of a remarkable comeback to the ATP World Tour in 2017, and after that iconic Australian Open, the Swiss won his second title of the year and 90^th career title at the Indian Wells Masters with a win over compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the final.

Federer’s 5^th Indian Wells triumph adds up to his sensational victory at the Australian Open where he beat longtime rival Rafael Nadal in the final in five sets – and No. 5 is also a record for the venue, one he ties with Novak Djokovic. Del Potro has had a fair start to 2017 so far, producing two incredible fights against Novak Djokovic at the Mexican Open and the Indian Wells Masters. Both Del Potro and Federer are placed in Section-3 of the main draw at the Miami Masters and will be locking horns as early as the third round provided they both qualify.Federer and Del Potro have faced each other 20 times with Federer leading the head to head 15-5. However, they have played some very close battles including the 2009 US Open Final which was won by Del Potro and the semi-finals of the London Olympics which was won by Federer after edging the Argentine 19-17 in the third set.In the entire list, this matchup has the maximum chance of occurring – and why shouldn’t it, as both Federer and Del Potro are in great form and their match would be a nail-biting test for both.

#1. Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal

We would love to witness a Fedal final at the Miami Masters – who wouldn’t?

Last year, both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had their campaign hampered by injuries and both eventually took a six-month hiatus from the game in order to recuperate. The two made a remarkable comeback at the Australian Open and played a remarkable final that was reminiscent of their previous exciting battles.

Federer went on to win the final to win his 18^th Grand Slam – increasing his own unprecedented record. The two played for a second time this year at the Indian Wells Masters where Federer completely outplayed Nadal 6-2, 6-3 – and eventually won the title.The two are in opposite halves of the main draw of the Miami Masters, so the only way they would play each other would be at the final – the third Fedal match this year in as many months.

Should they play the final of this year’s Miami Masters then it will be their 18^th Masters 1000 meeting, with Nadal leading the head to head 12-5.Both Federer and Nadal are in the shape and form of their respective careers, and given the fact that Murray and Djokovic are skipping this tournament, their chances of reaching the final look incredible. This is one match nobody will want to miss!