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Match Details
Fixture: (1) Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic
Tournament: Miami Open 2023
Date: Sunday, March 26
Round: Third round (Round of 32)
Venue: Miami Gardens, Florida, United States
Category: ATP Masters 1000
Surface: Outdoor hardcourt
Prize money: $8,800,000
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel/TC Plus | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic preview
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz takes on Serbian veteran Dusan Lajovic on Sunday (March 26) for a place in the Miami Open fourth round.
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World No. 1 Alcaraz breezed through his tournament opener against Facundo Bagnis for the loss of just two games to improve to 15-1 for the season. Following a belated start to the season due to a freak injury in training ahead of the Australian Open, the Spanish teenager has been on a roll.
He opened his 2023 campaign with a title at the Argentina Open before his eight-match winning start was snapped by Cameron Norrie in a pulsating Rio de Janeiro final. Alcaraz, though, quickly got back to winning ways, ending Daniil Medvedev's 19-match win streak to win his first Indian Wells title (third Masters 1000).
Meanwhile, the 76th-ranked Lajovic has improved to 9-5 on the season with a pair of wins - Andy Murray and Maxime Cressy - this week. The Serb made the quarterfinals at three of his four Golden Swing stops - Argentina Open, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago. However, he lost in the first round of qualifying at Indian Wells last fortnight.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic head-to-head
Alcaraz has taken all three of his previous meetings with Lajovic - including the pair's only hardcourt clash at the Australian Open last year. The two players have met twice in 2023 - in the quarterfinals of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro - with the Spaniard winning both contests in straight sets.
Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic odds
(All odds as per BETMGM)
Carlos Alcaraz vs Dusan Lajovic prediction
Alcaraz and Lajovic like to dominate opponents from the back of the court, but the similarities in their game style end there.
The Spaniard is widely regarded as one of the best players on tour and has an impressive game - especially on hardcourts. Alcaraz serves big, hits powerfully off either flank and is an elite mover. Lajovic, by contrast, has more modest attributes, with his signature single-handed backhand standing out.
However, the Serb tends to play his best tennis on claycourts, and hasn't taken a set off Alcaraz in three previous meetings. The trend should continue as Alcaraz looks to improve to 8-1 in Miami.
Pick: Alcaraz in straight sets
