Notes from the tour - week 12...

Tuesday 19th March 2024

Two players go in search of the coveted Sunshine Double this week…

Winning Indian Wells and the Miami Open back-to-back is one of the most impressive feats in tennis…

After lifting the silverware in California last weekend, Indian Wells champions Iga Swiatek and Carlos Alcaraz now head to Florida for the Miami Open…

The men’s event starts on Wednesday. In the early prices, the bookies have Alcaraz as a 2/1 (3.0) favourite.

The women’s tournament starts today (3pm, UK time). Swiatek is even shorter, 8/5 (2.6) at best and around 11/8 (2.38) in general.

With the sad news this morning that Konstantin Koltsov, the boyfriend of world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka, has passed away. The women’s field is sure to see the 2nd seed withdraw from the event, in tragic circumstances. We send our condolences to Sabalenka.

The Miami draw-sheets are already without men’s no.1, Novak Djokovic. And Emma Raducanu is in the headlines again, withdrawing with a back injury…

Miami has a history of producing surprise finalists and winners at massive prices…

For example, last year’s women’s title was won by 100/1 shot Petra Kvitova…

The year before, Casper Ruud was men’s runner-up at 40/1…

And in 2021, Hubert Hurkacz won the ATP event as a 100/1 outsider…

Over on my members-only Ones to Watch service, I sent out my first Miami Open picks this morning. Starting with two WTA selections today: a 50/1+ player on the comeback… and a 200/1+ teenager on the up…

Members will receive my men’s Miami preview and Outright Winner, Each Way picks, tomorrow morning…

Join us on the 100/1 quest this week >>

Enjoy the tennis…

Best wishes,

Oliver Upstone

Ones to Watch