David Goffin did not head for Florida with the greatest confidence. The Belgian number one in men’s tennis is having a dramatic start to the season and has dropped to place 70 on the ATP ranking.
In Rotterdam, in Doha, in Dubai and in Indian Wells, the first round had immediately been the final station for Goffin. In the Challenger tournament in Phoenix, Goffin hoped to gain some confidence last week, but he was killed in the quarterfinals.
In Miami he met Spaniard Roberto Carballés. Goffin, however, showed a different face than in previous weeks and quickly imposed his will on the Spaniard. With solid tennis and a good first serve, he soon took a break. At 2-5 he went through the service of Carballés again: set 1 was in.
Goffin felt that a long-awaited victory was in it and that caused a dip at the start of set two. However, he soon made up for his lost service with a rebreak and then our compatriot came under steam. Carballés did not get over a second break: 6-3 and books up.
This gives Goffin a welcome dose of confidence. In the second round in Miami he will meet the number 19 in the world, Pablo Carreño. If Goffin also manages to avoid that cliff, a meeting with Jannik Sinner may await.
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