The PIF ATP Rankings Predictor is kicking off with the Miami Open presented by Itau. Do not forget to select your five players for the tournament by 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, which marks the start of main draw action in Florida.
Need some help making your selections?
Each tournament week, ATPTour.com will publish PIF ATP Rankings Predictor Picks to give fans playing the game a look at which stars might make sense to select that week and why.
Carlos Alcaraz — defending 360 points
For most Predictor Picks, it will make sense to look at players who are defending few points for the tournament. But Carlos Alcaraz is not most players.
The Spaniard is back in top form after securing his first title since last Wimbledon at the BNP Paribas Open. The 20-year-old was at his mystifying best in his final three matches, dispatching Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev to lift the trophy at Indian Wells.
There is no reason to believe that he will not carry that level into the season’s second ATP Masters 1000 event. One year ago in Miami, he lost to Sinner in a memorable semi-final and is therefore defending 360 points. But given his California efforts and the fact that Alcaraz has won 10 of his past 11 matches in Miami, including his 2022 title, he will be full of confidence to make another deep run.
Alcaraz will open his pursuit of completing the Sunshine Double against Roberto Carballes Baena or Aleksandar Vukic.
Hubert Hurkacz — defending 45 points
Polish standout Hubert Hurkacz suffered an opening-round exit at Indian Wells. That might leave the 27-year-old short on matchplay, but high on hunger to get back on track in Miami.
Hurkacz is only defending 45 points at Hard Rock Stadium after losing to the always tricky Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the third round one year ago. But one of the biggest servers on the ATP Tour has happy memories at the venue, having won his first Masters 1000 title in Miami in 2021 and reached the semi-finals in 2022.
A tricky draw could see Hurkacz play Alcaraz in the quarter-finals. But with his huge serve in hot, humid conditions, the Pole should be able to power his way through any tight early moments to give himself a chance at making another run. He will face Daniel Elahi Galan or Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.
Alex de Minaur — defending 10 points
Miami has never been the most successful event for Alex de Minaur, who is 1-4 at the tournament. However, the Australian is playing the best tennis of his career and has proven a tough out for any player on the ATP Tour.
The 25-year-old owns a 17-5 record this season and claimed the eighth tour-level trophy of his career in Acapulco. De Minaur has earned victories in 2024 against Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.
With only 10 points to defend in Miami, De Minaur has plenty of points to add. He will open his run against Alexandre Muller or Soonwoo Kwon, with matchups against 24th seed Jan-Lennard Struff and sixth seed Holger Rune potentially looming in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.
Bonus Ball — Carlos Alcaraz
Don’t forget — each tournament week, you place a ‘Bonus Ball’ on one of the five players you select. If that player earns positive net points for the week, you will earn double the points.
A good choice for this week’s Bonus Ball is Alcaraz. If the Spaniard completes the Sunshine Double, he will add 640 net points, which will translate to 1,280 points for your team.
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