The favorites' big threats at the Miami Open 2026 debut

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Still reeling from Indian Wells, the Miami Open is already on the horizon. The 'Sunshine Double' bids farewell to its first tournament and kicks off the second under completely different conditions: from the scorching sun of California to the leaden humidity of Florida.

Many players may struggle with this transition, especially as they shift from fast courts to slower and heavier ones. The seeded players, who will debut in the second round against opponents already acclimated to Miami's courts, might feel the shift more significantly. Adding to the challenge is the presence of non-seeded players who could potentially face favorites, making winning the second Masters 1000 of the year a total challenge.

The final draw is not yet known, but the list of non-seeded players who could potentially challenge the favorites in the second round is clear. Some of them pose a threat due to their performance in Indian Wells, while others are formidable due to their past success in Miami and familiarity with these conditions.

These Are the Most Dangerous Players for the Favorites at the Miami Open 2026

This list starts with a name that made waves at Indian Wells: Joao Fonseca. The Brazilian is proving to be less of a promise and more of a presence, as demonstrated in California where he faced Jannik Sinner for the first time, ultimately the tournament champion, and held his own throughout the match, even having a set point in the first set.

Fonseca seems to have made the tennis leap expected of him, especially considering his strong performance in Miami last year (reaching the third round after a three-set match against Alex de Miñaur), making him a true threat to any favorite in his draw.

Another player who has excelled in Miami in recent years is Grigor Dimitrov. The Bulgarian has always adapted well to Florida's conditions, notably in his near-perfect quarterfinal performance in 2024 against Carlos Alcaraz, who could only applaud Dimitrov's gameplay. A finalist in that edition and a semifinalist in 2025, Dimitrov is a competitor to beware of. However, his return to the court after a chest injury means he is not yet at 100%, but he should not be underestimated.

Despite his tendency towards inconsistency, Denis Shapovalov is another player to watch out for in the early rounds of hard court tournaments. The Canadian showcases his best tennis on this surface (reaching the semifinals in Dallas), with a good track record in Miami (semifinalist in 2019). If he is on form, he can defeat anyone, but the question remains whether that moment will come in Miami.

Alex Michelsen also poses a challenge in the early rounds. The American arrives after a strong showing at Indian Wells, reaching the round of 16 and being eliminated by Daniil Medvedev, having beaten players like Ugo Humbert and Taylor Fritz along the way. Despite his inconsistency, his flashes of brilliance in important matches could surprise more than one favorite.

Last but not least, an American who seems to have regained self-confidence, especially on hard courts where he already holds a title and 14 victories in 2026. Sebastian Korda, who recently won the Delray Beach title and has had previous success in Florida, reaching the quarterfinals twice (2021, 2025). The 25-year-old player appears to be rediscovering his game and could certainly give a scare to any seeded player.

These five players are the ones that could potentially cause surprises in the early rounds, and the seeded players would do well to keep them in mind if they hope to stay in Florida longer than expected.
 

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Las grandes amenazas de los favoritos al Miami Open 2026 en su debut