Miami Open 2024: Jannik Sinner vs Christopher O'Connell preview, head-to-head, prediction, live streaming details

Published at :March 26, 2024 at 7:39 PM

Modified at :March 26, 2024 at 7:39 PM

(Courtesy : ATP Tour)

Aussie Christopher O’Connell has won their only previous meeting.

From breaking into the top 100 and now, a match against Jannik Sinner, it has been a captivating journey for Australian Christopher O’Connell. The spotlight will be on him Tuesday when he plays Sinner for a spot in the Miami Open 2024 quarterfinals. The Australian took a break from tennis due to injuries and could be spotted cleaning boats at the Sydney Bay during his hiatus.

O’Connell will clash with crowd favourite Sinner at the Hard Rock Stadium in front of thousands of cheering fans as he looks to upset the top-ranked player in the race to Turin. The Sydney native breached the top 100 ranking for the first time in July 2022 and a career-best World No. 53 in September 2023.

The Aussie beat local player Frances Tiafoe in straight sets and secured a similar result against another American, Martin Damm, to book a maiden fourth-round appearance in not just Miami, but in any Masters event.

Sinner began his season with a title run to his first major at the Australian Open and a 16-match win streak. The Italian’s loss to Alcaraz at the Indian Wells semifinals was the only blip this season. The 2023 Miami finalist scored an easy win over compatriot Andrea Vavassori and scrambled past Tallon Griekspoor in three sets to make the fourth round.

The Italian is a two-time finalist at Miami Open and has reached at least the quarter-final stage on all rhe three occasions that he turned up.

Jannik Sinner vs Christopher O’Connell match details

Date: March 26
Time: 11:10 PM IST (Tentative)
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

Jannik Sinner vs Christopher O’Connell preview

Sinner will turn up refreshed for his round of 16 match-up against Christopher O’Connell thanks to the two-day gap after his victory against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. The World No. 3 could bump into fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi in the round eight. A third Italian — Lorenzo Musetti, faces Carlos Alcaraz later today. Griekspoor and Sinner last met in the semi-final at Rotterdam, which the Italian went on to win in his second final appearance.

Should seedings hold, Sinner’s rival in the semi-final could be either third seed Daniil Medvedev or seventh seed Casper Ruud.

The match against Jannik Sinner will be O’Connell’s first real test this week in Florida. The unseeded Australian dispatched all of his opponents thus far in straight sets. He will have the momentum and the confidence when he takes on the World No. 3 for their second career meeting.

Head-to-head records

Matches – 1

Jannik Sinner – 0

Christopher O’Connell – 1

Unusually for Sinner, Christopher O’Connell has a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head. It was at their only meeting three years ago – a round of 16 face-off at an ATP 250 win in Atlanta. The 2021 match went in O’Connell’s favour in straight sets.

Where and how to watch the live streaming and TV broadcast of Jannik Sinner vs Christopher O’Connell, Miami Open 2024 fourth-round match in India?

The fourth-round face-off between Jannik Sinner and Christopher O’Connell will begin not before 11 AM local time – 8:30 PM (IST) on Tuesday, 26th March. The duo’s fixture will be the third of the day at the Grandstand.

Prediction

Having played back-to-back tiebreak sets, O’Connell will be better prepared for whatever Sinner throws at him. But the Sinner of 2024 is a different beast than the one in 2021 — having won twelve titles, including at Melbourne and the Masters trophy in Montreal. The current season is shaping up to be the second seed’s breakthrough year. He will be itching to have another go at Alcaraz to avenge his loss in California.

While Sinner wears the mantle of overwhelming favourite — Christopher O’Connell’s fourth-round appearance is not to be taken lightly. The Aussie held his nerve in two close tiebreak sets to emerge victorious against up-and-coming American Martin Damm to win 7-6(5), 7-6(5).

Sinner and O’Connell do well under pressure and are 2-1 in deciding sets this year. The Australian’s 2024 numbers are not too shabby for a journeyman. He has outclassed Sinner in the aces game – 117 aces against 26 double faults in comparison to 99 aces and 28 double faults by the Italian. Sinner has won 93% of his service games against O’Connell’s 83%.

The World No. 3 has won 30% of his return games, while O’Connell trails at 19%. Unless the Australian bridges that gap in the forthcoming match, Sinner could run away with the game. Another factor that tilts the result in Sinner’s favour is his hard-court dominance, with 76% of his career wins coming on it. Expect Sinner’s calm demeanour to carry the day.

Result: Jannik Sinner to win in three sets.

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