Miami, FL – Rain disrupted the opening day of the Miami Open presented by Itau on Wednesday, forcing the postponement of 10 ATP Tour matches, including a highly anticipated first-round contest between Grigor Dimitrov and Raphael Collignon. The inclement weather caused significant delays, impacting the tournament schedule and leaving fans adjusting to a revised order of play.
The Miami Open, a cornerstone of the ATP Tour and WTA calendars, runs from March 18th through March 29th. While four ATP matches were able to proceed as scheduled, the remaining contests have been shifted to Thursday, creating a busy day of competition as the tournament attempts to catch up. The delays underscore the challenges of hosting outdoor sporting events in South Florida during the rainy season.
Revised Schedule and Affected Players
Among those affected by the weather disruption was former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose first-round match against qualifier Arthur Fery was postponed. The revised schedule aims to accommodate all matches, with play now expected to begin no earlier than 7:00 PM EDT on Grandstand. Action on the remaining courts is slated to resume at 5:00 PM EDT.
The ATP Tour confirmed the changes, providing an updated order of play for Wednesday evening. Fans holding tickets for Wednesday are advised to check the official tournament website for the latest information and court assignments. The tournament is committed to ensuring all ticket holders have the opportunity to experience the matches, despite the initial setbacks.
Wednesday’s Order of Play
Grandstand – start 7:00 PM
WTA – Francesca Jones (GBR) vs Venus Williams (USA)Not Before 8:30 PM
ATP – Alexandre Muller (FRA) vs Matteo Berrettini (ITA)
Butch Buchholz – start 5:00 PM
ATP – Denis Shapovalov (CAN) vs Botic van de Zandschulp (NED)Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA – Viktorija Golubic (SUI) vs Peyton Stearns (USA)
Court 1 – start 5:00 PM
WTA – Eva Lys (GER) vs Yuliia Starodubtseva (UKR)
ATP – Reilly Opelka (USA) vs Nuno Borges (POR)
Court 7 – start 5:00 PM
WTA – Emiliana Arango (COL) vs Oksana SelekhmetevaNot Before 5:00 PM
WTA – Alycia Parks (USA) vs Sinja Kraus (AUT)
Court 5 – start 5:00 PM
WTA – Dalma Galfi (HUN) vs Elvina Kalieva (USA)Not Before 6:00 PM
WTA – Lilli Tagger (AUT) vs Ella Seidel (GER)
Court 2 – start 5:00 PM
ATP – Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (FRA) vs Camilo Ugo Carabelli (ARG)
WTA – Darja Semenistaja (LAT) vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA)
Court 3 – start 5:00 PM
WTA – Anastasia Zakharova vs Anna Bondar (HUN)
Court 6 – start 5:00 PM
WTA – Tereza Valentova (CZE) vs Katie Volynets (USA)
Dimitrov’s Match Postponed, Tournament Adjusts
The postponement of Grigor Dimitrov’s match against Raphael Collignon is a notable setback for fans eager to observe the Bulgarian veteran in action. Dimitrov, currently ranked No. 44 according to the ATP, was hoping to make a strong showing at the Miami Open. Dimitrov has a history of success on hard courts, having reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in 2017 and the US Open in 2019.
Tournament officials are working diligently to minimize further disruptions and ensure a smooth experience for players and spectators alike. The Miami Open is a significant event for the city, attracting thousands of visitors and generating substantial economic impact. The tournament’s ability to navigate these challenges will be crucial to its continued success.
The Miami Open will continue with its scheduled matches on Thursday, with the postponed contests integrated into the day’s order of play. Fans are encouraged to stay updated on the latest schedule changes through the official tournament website and social media channels. The tournament is expected to provide further updates as the weather situation evolves.
The next official update regarding the tournament schedule is expected Thursday morning, as officials assess the court conditions and finalize the order of play. We will continue to provide coverage of the Miami Open as it unfolds.
What are your thoughts on the rain delay? Share your comments below and let us know how this impacts your experience at the Miami Open.
