Alcaraz Set for Thrilling Miami Showdown with Fonseca
Sinner and Zverev share the draw’s spotlight
March 16, 2026
Photo credit: Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca, who competed in an exhibition match last December, could face off again in Miami.
By ATP Staff
As Carlos Alcaraz embarks on his quest for a second Miami title, the stakes are high at the 2026 Miami Open presented by Itau.
Ranked No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alcaraz is projected to kick off his tournament against rising star Joao Fonseca or Fabian Marozsan, both of whom are formidable competitors. The top half of the draw also features fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti, adding further intensity.
Details on the complete Miami singles draw can be found here.
Last December, during an exhibition in a baseball stadium in Miami, Alcaraz faced Fonseca. Now, as they potentially gear up for their first official clash, Fonseca must first outlast Marozsan, who defeated him in Rome last year. Recently, Fonseca showcased his skills, taking Jannik Sinner to two tie-breaks in the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open.
In last year’s Miami Open, Fonseca made headlines by reaching the third round for the first time, achieving victories over Learner Tien and Ugo Humbert before succumbing to Alex de Minaur.
After securing the title at Indian Wells, second seed Jannik Sinner is keen to complete the coveted ‘Sunshine Double.’ He will face either Damir Dzumhur or a qualifier in the opening round. He boasts an impressive 19-3 record in Miami, having reached the finals in three of his four visits, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
The Italian, who claimed victory in Miami in 2024, shares a quarter with seventh seed Felix Auger-Aliassime. Auger-Aliassime is set to confront either Marton Fucsovics or a qualifier in his upcoming match.
A potential thrilling rematch awaits in the semi-finals for Sinner against third seed Alexander Zverev, who commences his campaign against wild card Martin Damm or Jacob Fearnley. Additionally, eighth seed Ben Shelton is also in Zverev’s quarter and will meet Matteo Arnaldi or Alexander Shevchenko in the second round.
Ninth seed Daniil Medvedev, enjoying a robust 2026 season with titles in Brisbane and Dubai, will launch his Miami journey against Aleksander Kovacevic or Rei Sakamoto.
Sixth seed Taylor Fritz is positioned in Alcaraz’s quarter and could potentially clash with the Spaniard in the quarter-finals, provided both advance. Fritz opens his campaign against either Denis Shapovalov or Botic van de Zandschulp.
Looking to recover from a second-round exit at Indian Wells, Musetti will aim for redemption as he kicks off his Miami journey against a qualifier or lucky loser.
