Thiem Tumbles; Alcaraz, Zverev, Ruud, Fritz Open Play Fri. At Miami Masters

Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem continued to struggle. The former world No. 3 suffered his fifth straight overall loss and fifth straight at the Masters level going down to Italian Lorenzo Sonego 7-6(9-7), 6-2.

Rising Czech star Jiri Lehecka moved past Federico Coria 6-3, 6-4. Lehecka tallied nine aces, won 32/35 lost only 3 points on first serve and never faced a break point.

Other winners on this final day of the first round were Mackenzie McDonald who overcame26-year-old Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia 6-4, 6-2. Fellow American Aleksandar Kovacevic sent off Jaume Munar of Spain 7-6(7-4), 2-6, 6-1.

Cristian Garin won a tight one over Marcos Giron in three 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Qualifier Chris Eubanks topped Denis Kudla 7-6(7-2), 6-2. Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis had to fight off Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(9-7) and French veteran Richard Gasquet bested Christopher O’Connell 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.

Friday’s line-up includes second round action with No. 1 and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz drawing Facundo Bagnis. Alcaraz took their only previous meeting in the 2022 Umag quarterfinals. Alcaraz is 14-1 this year after his third Masters title at Indian Wells.

2022 finalist Casper Ruud tests Ilya Ivashka in a first-time tour-level contest.

Also, No. 6 Andrey Rublev battles J.J. Wolf, No. 7 Holger Rune gets Marton Fucsovics, No. 9 Taylor Fritz clashes with qualifier Emilio Nava, past runner-up Jannik Sinner takes on Laslo Djere, No. 13 and former finalist Alexander Zverev battles Taro Daniel and No. 16 Tommy Paul will battle Marc-Andrea Huesler.

FRIDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE
STADIUM
Matches Start At: 12:00 pm
WTA Maria Sakkari (GRE) [7] vs Bianca Andreescu (CAN)
ATP Taylor FRITZ (USA) [9] vs [WC] Emilio NAVA (USA)
ATP Carlos ALCARAZ (ESP) [1] vs Facundo BAGNIS (ARG)

Not Before 7:00 PM
WTA Shelby Rogers (USA) vs Aryna Sabalenka [2]
Not Before 8:30 pm
ATP [WC] Taro DANIEL (JPN) vs Alexander ZVEREV (GER) [13]

GRANDSTAND
Matches Start At: 11:00 am
ATP J.J. WOLF (USA) vs Andrey RUBLEV [6]
WTA [Q] Varvara Gracheva vs Ons Jabeur (TUN) [4]
WTA [WC] Robin Montgomery (USA) vs Madison Keys (USA) [19]
WTA Caroline Garcia (FRA) [5] vs Sorana Cirstea (ROU)
Not Before 7:00 pm
ATP Casper RUUD (NOR) [3] vs Ilya IVASHKA