There is a feeling that some meat was left on the bones after the results filtered through on Thursday, but it is also clear that hindsight is 20/20.
The fairest point that can be made is that there was no regret over the selections that were made and that is absolutely where you want to be- if you do that far more often than not, you can live with the results, even when they have not returned as hoped.
We move onto Friday and the conclusion of the WTA Second Round, but the start of the ATP's Second Round, which means the top names are beginning their run in Miami. Seeded players have received a Bye through the opening Round, but that means facing someone with a win under their belt and it is a challenging stage to negotiate for each of the big names getting underway.
Power outage in the area meant the thread was not able to be published on Thursday evening as planned, but the selections can be read below as the Miami Masters tournament gets ready to move towards the second week.
Novak Djokovic - 5.5 games v Rinky Hijikata: After retiring during the Australian Open Semi Final, Novak Djokovic has failed to win a match in two separate tournaments. Earlier this month he was upset in the Second Round at Indian Wells, but the partnership with Andy Murray continues and the former World Number 1 will be expecting to have a much bigger impact here in Miami.
There are improvements to be made- the second serve has really not been working to a level that we have come to expect from Novak Djokovic. Being able to protect that part of his tennis has allowed Novak Djokovic to grind down the best players on the Tour and he will be looking to show a bit more strength behind the second serve to just rebuild some overall confidence in his own tennis.
It is clear that Novak Djokovic is focusing on matters on the court having not put his name down on the lawsuit that the PTPA have begun against the ATP Tour, although the Serb is expected to be a keen supporter of the PTPA.
Nothing can be taken for granted against any opponent right now, especially after losing to the World Number 85 in Indian Wells, but Novak Djokovic is facing an opponent in Rinky Hijikata who has been struggling for any consistency in 2025.
The Australian is Ranked at Number 86 heading into Miami, but he came through a tough First Round match and Hijikata is now bidding to win consecutive matches for the first time since before the Australian Open played in January.
A real concern for Rinky Hijikata is the fact that a number of matches have gotten away from him and ended up in one-sided losses on the scoreboard.
Earlier this season he was beaten by Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, and there is every reason to believe the higher Ranked player can do that again as long as he is serving with even slightly more consistency on the second serve. Novak Djokovic will create chances against the Rinky Hijikata serve, as so many opponents have managed to do in recent matches against the Australian, and it could lead to a first win since Melbourne and in strong fashion from Djokovic too.
Tommy Paul - 3.5 games v Alexander Bublik: After withdrawing in Acapulco, there would have been some concern about the kind of readiness that Tommy Paul would have to compete in Indian Wells.
Two wins were produced in solid fashion, but Tommy Paul was well beaten by Daniil Medvedev in the Fourth Round and the American will certainly be expecting more from himself here. He has been placed in a decent section of the draw and that will help the World Number 13 as Tommy Paul looks to put another strong tournament in the books before turning his attention to the European clay courts.
His first match in Miami will be against Alexander Bublik, who was a solid First Round winner and will likely still be in confident form having had a strong run in Phoenix last week at Challenger level. In what has been a tough start to the season, Alexander Bublik will just be happy that he has found a way to secure some wins this month, although this has not been an easy match up for him.
Losing four of five matches to Tommy Paul will be a mental obstacle to overcome, especially as the last two defeats have been in relatively easy fashion.
Alexander Bublik does have a decent serve when at his best, but it can be a shot that he offers little protection when the focus is not quite at a level that it should be. This is always a concern with Bublik and a steady, consistent Tommy Paul likely continues to put the wins together against this opponent by not having the same level of dips within matches.
Faster conditions that have been spoken about in Miami should aid Alexander Bublik, but Tommy Paul is not going to be worried about those either and the home player can find his way through to the Third Round behind a solid win.
MY PICKS: Novak Djokovic - 5.5 Games @ 2.10 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Tommy Paul - 3.5 Games @ 1.72 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Elina Svitolina + 2.5 Games @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Elise Mertens - 2.5 Games @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)
Miami Update: 3-1, + 1.38 Units (4 Units Staked, + 34.50% Yield)
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