The Miami Open is about to commence with Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams being arguably the favorites in their respective draws.
There is a bit of a controversy going on as most of the tournaments have been struggling in providing rich prize money for the players, given the difficulties created by the pandemic. The Miami Open also registered a sharp decrease in its prize money. There were also many defections in the men’s entry list also because the ATP points remained frozen.
On the men’s side, the defending champion is Roger Federer that defeated John Isner in the 2019 final. Roger will not compete in Miami this year.
On the women’s side, the defending champion is Ashleigh Barty that defeated Karolina Pliskova in the final.
Prize Money
Even if we are not talking about glorious figures, the prize money at the Miami Open is still decent even if it is not clear if it will be enough for the players to cover the costs. This is the breakdown.
| 2021 | Prize Money | % Change vs 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | $300,110 | -77.96% |
| Finalist | $165,000 | -76.21% |
| Semi | $93,000 | -74.08% |
| Quarter | $61,000 | -67.24% |
| 4th Round | $40,000 | -57.43% |
| 3rd Round | $26,000 | -49.90% |
| 2nd Round | $16,000 | -44.91% |
| 1st Round | $10,000 | -44.92% |
| Q2 | $5,890 | -35.35% |
| Q1 | $3,100 | -35.21% |
here the aggregated prize money compared with the previous years and the difference is huge.
| Year | Prize Money | Diff |
| Y2021 | 6,687,570 | -66% |
| Y2020 | 19,471,370 | 16% |
| Y2019 | 16,718,910 | 5% |
| Y2018 | 15,944,706 | 14% |
| Y2017 | 13,986,900 | 14% |
| Y2016 | 12,269,210 | 14% |
| Y2015 | 10,762,470 | 14% |
| Y2014 | 9,441,660 |
Daniil Medvedev in 2021
Now ranked no.2 (career-high), Daniil played his last match on the 14th of March when he beat Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4 6-7(4) 6-4 in the final in Marseille to win his 10th career title.
During this season the Russian owns a composed 14-2 win-loss record. Medvedev conquered 1 title in Marseille. Medvedev was the finalist at the Australian Open.
Tsitsipas in Acapulco, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently ranked no.5 (career-high), Stefanos has managed to achieve a composed 14-3 record in 2021. The Greek is participating in Acapulco where he ousted Benoit Paire 6-3 6-1, John Isner 6-3 6-2, Felix Auger Aliassime 7-5 4-6 6-3 and Lorenzo Musetti 6-1 6-3.
Stefanos Tsitsipas will come up against Zverev in the final. Their actual record is 5-1
for Tsitsipas.Tsitsipas won 5 titles in his career: 1 on clay courts and 4 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas fought against each other 7 times. The head to head is 6-1 for Medvedev. Previously, the last time when they competed against each other, Daniil Medvedev won 6-4 6-2 7-5
in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 19th of February 2021.In the following video you can watch the highlights.
Naomi Osaka in 2021
Currently ranked no.2, Osaka played her last match on the 20th of February when she overcame Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 in the final of the Australian Open to win her 7th career title.
Until now, during this year Naomi has a 10-0 match record. The Japanese has won 1 title at the Australian Open.
Serena Williams in 2021
Currently the world no.7, Serena played her last match on the 18th of February when she lost to Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year the American has a 8-1 match record. Serena Williams’s most significant achievement of the year was getting to the semifinal in Melbourne and at the Australian Open.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams played each other 4 times. The head to head is 3-1 for Osaka. Previously, the last time when they played, Naomi Osaka won 6-3 6-4 in the semifinal in Melbourne (Australian Open) on the 18th of February 2021.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.