Miami Open 2023: Dominic Thiem vs Lorenzo Sonego preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Dominic Thiem vs Lorenzo Sonego.
Tournament: Miami Open 2023.
Round: First round (Round of 128).
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.
Dominic Thiem vs Lorenzo Sonego preview
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem will take on World No. 59 Lorenzo Sonego in the first round of the 2023 Miami Open.
Thiem commenced the year with an opening-round exit from the Australian Open. He then failed to win either of his Davis Cup matches as well. The Austrian scored his first win of the year at the Argentina Open by defeating Alex Molcan, but went on to lose in the second round.
Thiem failed to get past the first round in his next couple of tournaments as well. At the Indian Wells Masters, he faced Adrian Mannarino in the opening round. The 29-year old led 6-4, 4-1, but ended up losing the match in three sets. He's now competing in Miami for the first time since 2019.
Meanwhile, Sonego's best results this season have been a couple of quarterfinal appearances. He made the last eight for the first time this year at the Open Sud de France, losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner in straight sets.
The Italian's next quarterfinal showing was at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where he was knocked out by Alexander Zverev. Sonego was drawn against Jason Kubler in the first round of the Indian Wells Masters and lost to the Australian in straight sets.
Dominic Thiem vs Lorenzo Sonego head-to-head
The two have split their previous couple of meetings evenly to tie the head-to-head at 1-1. Sonego won their last encounter at the 2021 Italian Open in three sets.
Dominic Thiem vs Lorenzo Sonego odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Dominic Thiem vs Lorenzo Sonego prediction
Thiem has been in dire form this year, with just a solitary victory to his name and blew a healthy lead during his recent loss at Indian Wells. His once explosive forehand fails to pack a punch these days, effectively limiting his game.
Sonego has performed slightly better, but still has lost more matches than he has won this season.
Their previous encounter took place two years ago, with the Italian sneaking past Thiem in a third set tie-break. At their best, both could go toe-to-toe with each other from the baseline, but it remains to be seen if that will be the case this time around.
Even at his peak, Thiem didn't perform that well in Miami, with a 7-5 career record at the venue. Given their respective form, Sonego should be able to make a winning start here.
Pick: Lorenzo Sonego to win in three sets.