After Jakub Mensik’s victory at Hard Rock Stadium this weekend, it’s time to review the players who excelled and those who missed their opportunity at the Miami Open.
Winner – Jakub Mensik
Naturally, the tournament champion (#ATP 24) stands out, claiming his first Masters 1000 title after an outstanding run. If winning comes down to details and resilience, Mensik mastered both, thriving under pressure in every tiebreak he played. After a three-set win against Bautista, the Czech took down Draper— fresh off an Indian Wells triumph —by clinching both tiebreaks in straight sets. Following a swift 1h17 victory over Fils, he advanced to the semifinals via Machac’s withdrawal. Once there, he overcame two more tiebreaks to beat local favorite Fritz (ATP #4) in three sets. In the final, Mensik outplayed Djokovic in the Serbian’s stronghold — the tiebreaks —winning both 7-4 to secure the title. With a rock-solid serve and fearless play, he has firmly established himself as a player to watch in upcoming tournaments.
Loser – Carlos Alcaraz
The Spanish world No. 3 had reached the Indian Wells semifinals before falling to eventual champion Draper, but this time, he crashed out in the first round against Goffin. The Belgian has proven to be a tough opponent for the four-time Grand Slam champion, now holding a 2-2 record against him. Despite his first indoor title in Rotterdam and a semifinal run at Indian Wells, Alcaraz struggled in Miami, extending his 2025 record to 15 wins in 19 matches.
Winner – Novak Djokovic
Despite his defeat in the final, Miami was a strong showing for the Serbian (ATP #5). After a shocking first-round exit at Indian Wells (losing to Van de Zandschulp), Djokovic capitalized on a favorable draw—avoiding potential clashes with Medvedev and Alcaraz—to reach the final without dropping a set. However, despite his vast experience in tiebreaks and clutch moments, Mensik outplayed him in both decisive sets. While this match could have earned him a historic 100th career title, it still proved that Djokovic remains highly motivated and competitive at the top level.
Loser – Alexander Zverev
The world No. 2 couldn’t surpass Sinner in the rankings during the Sunshine Double, but he had an opportunity to close the gap. His American campaign? A first-round exit to Griekspoor in California and a third-round loss to Fils in Miami. Failing to convert key service games, Zverev has struggled since his Australian Open final defeat to Sinner, managing only six wins in 11 matches since. Concerns about his health persist, as he reportedly experienced issues during the Acapulco tournament.
Loser – Nick Kyrgios
If the Australian (ATP #633) wanted to make a statement with his return to the tour, he missed the mark. While his Miami victory over McDonald was his first ATP win since October 6, 2022, in Tokyo, questions linger about whether he can still compete at his peak level. Physical setbacks continue to plague him—evidenced by his Australian Open doubles withdrawal with Kokkinakis. Even in his lone Miami victory, he labored for 1h46 and won just 41% of his second-serve points. Against Khachanov (ATP #26), he fought evenly in the first-set tiebreak 7-6(4) but collapsed 6-0 in the second set within 21 minutes. While his natural talent remains intact, Kyrgios will need more time to find his best form.
