Miami Day 6 previews: Swiatek vs. Noskova, Ruud vs. Davidovich Fokina, Medvedev vs. Norrie

Iga Swiatek vs. Linda Noskova

These two players are bouncing victories back and forth between them, with Noskova’s win sandwiched between Swiatek’s two. This year alone has proven to make quite the rivalry as Noskova knocked Swiatek out of the Australian Open just for Swiatek to return the favor earlier this month at Indian Wells.

Just a few years younger than the world No. 1, Noskova is becoming a force to be reckoned with on tour. Her groundstroke angles from deep in the court make sure she always has one foot in control of the point, even when she’s forced to be defensive. Her tactical game competes well against the Pole’s, always proving to be a tricky battle, but with Swiatek carrying the Indian Wells title into Miami in hopes of becoming the second woman to achieve the Sunshine Double twice, there’s an extreme amount of pressure for the Czech to throw her off course. Winner: Swiatek

Casper Ruud vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

In a turn of events, the Spaniard leads this head-to-head series 2-0 (Ruud won a Next Gen ATP Finals showdown). Davidovich Fokina has won their most recent matchups in 2023 and 2021, once on outdoor clay and once on outdoor hard, respectively. Just a year difference in age, each player has found a different experience on tour. Ruud has reached a career-high No. 2 ranking, earning ten titles to his name. Davidovich Fokina, on the other hand, has peaked at No. 21 and contested a single tour-level final (2022 Monte Carlo).

A feisty player, Davidovich Fokina is always carrying an ace up his sleeve and ready to capitalize on opportunities. His game style is creative enough to take down the Norwegian, as he’s proven before, but impatient ball striking is his biggest weakness. Winner: Ruud

Daniil Medvedev vs. Cameron Norrie

These two might be the same age, though Medvedev has spent three more years on tour than Norrie. Sitting pretty at world No. 4, Medvedev is proving yet again why he’s feared on hard courts after returning to the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year and finisheing runner-up at Indian Wells last Sunday. The defending champion here, the Russian hopes to end a streak of not defending any of his previous 20 titles.

The lefty Brit can be an underestimated opponent on tour. Now outside the Top 30, Norrie is capable of more than his current ranking shows. Seven of his last eight Top 10 wins have come on hard courts. But down 0-2 against Medvedev, Norrie faces a difficult hurdle against a player who has proven to be world class on the surface. Winner: Medvedev