Scouting Report: Alcaraz Seeks Comeback in Miami, While Sinner Aims for Sunshine Double
Your essential guide to the thrilling ATP Masters 1000 event.
Date: March 16, 2026
ATP Tour Overview
Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Alexander Zverev headline the Miami Open.
Article by Andy West
The much-anticipated second phase of the prestigious ‘Sunshine Double’ commences this Wednesday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
ATP’s No. 1 rank holder Carlos Alcaraz and last week’s BNP Paribas Open victor, Jannik Sinner, are set to lead the stellar lineup at the ATP Masters 1000 event. Main draw matches will unfold from March 18-29 at the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
Here are 10 key highlights to keep an eye on during this exciting tournament.
1) Alcaraz Aims for Swift Recovery: After an unbeaten start to the year, World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz faced a setback in the Indian Wells semi-finals against Daniil Medvedev. With hopes of bouncing back, Alcaraz targets another title in Miami, where he previously clinched his first Masters 1000 crown in 2022. He boasts an impressive 16-1 record for the season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.
2) Sinner’s Pursuit of the Sunshine Double: Joining an elite group, only seven players have done the double of winning Indian Wells and Miami in the same year. Jannik Sinner, who triumphed in Indian Wells without dropping a set, is looking to achieve this extraordinary feat in 2026. He previously won in Miami during his last appearance in 2024.
3) Medvedev’s Return to Form: Daniil Medvedev delivered stunning performances in his title run in Dubai, followed by a strong showing in Indian Wells. Now back in the Top 10 for the first time since last July, he aims to expand on his excellent form, including a recent victory over Alcaraz. Medvedev also claimed the Miami trophy in 2023.
4) Zverev’s Quest for First Title of 2026: Following strong showings in the Australian Open and BNP Paribas Open, Alexander Zverev is seeking his first championship of the year in Miami. With a solid record of 19-10 at the Hard Rock Stadium, including a finals appearance in 2018, Zverev eyes the top spot.
5) Homegrown Heroes Fritz & Shelton: In the past 15 years, only John Isner (2018) has claimed the Miami men’s singles title for the U.S. In 2026, World No. 7 Taylor Fritz and No. 9 Ben Shelton lead the American charge, with former Top 10 players Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul also aiming for glory backed by local support.
6) Top 10 Rivals: Several Top 10 contenders are vying for their first Masters 1000 title in Miami. World No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti has reached the fourth round in previous years, while No. 6 Alex de Minaur has also faltered in the Round of 16 at this venue. No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime made it to the semifinals in 2018.
7) Mensik Defends His Title: Jakub Mensik stunned the tennis world by defeating Djokovic to capture his first ATP Tour title in Miami last year. Now ranked No. 13, the 20-year-old Czech seeks to defend his title while aiming to build on his recent success.
8) Tien and Fonseca’s Impact: Learner Tien and Joao Fonseca made their Miami debuts last year, with Fonseca overcoming Tien in a gripping first-round clash. With Tien now ranked No. 21 after a quarter-final finish in Indian Wells, he looks to secure his first Miami victory, while Fonseca hopes to channel crowd energy from last year’s run.
9) #NextGenATP Wild Cards: At least three rising stars under 20 will join Fonseca in the main draw. French prodigy Moise Kouame, who just turned 17 on March 6, is set for his Masters 1000 debut, while 19-year-old Rei Sakamoto and home favorite 18-year-old Darwin Blanch also receive wild cards to compete.
10) Arevalo/Pavic Seek to Retain Their Crown: After an opening-round defeat in Indian Wells to Djokovic and Tsitsipas, defending Miami champions Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic will be looking to bounce back at Hard Rock Stadium. They are set to face formidable opponents, including top seeds Granollers/Zeballos and previous finalists Cash/Glasspool.
