Sakamoto and Cina to make ATP main draw debuts at Miami Open

As we have said before, we love bringing you details of aspiring players who have progressed along the ITF player pathway and are starting to make their mark on professional tennis. Next up, Rei Sakamoto of Japan and Italy’s Federico Cina.

Sakamoto will make his main draw ATP Tour debut today against France’s Alexandre Muller at the Miami Open having beaten Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak and James Duckworth of Australia in qualifying.

Sakamoto is a former junior world No. 1 who won the Australian Open boys’ title in 2024, donning the traditional Australian cattleman’s hat which he won the week before at J300 Traralgon in celebration.

Prior to this, the 18-year-old represented his nation at the 2022 Davis Cup Juniors Finals, while he claimed his maiden victory at a pro event at the Yokkaichi Challenger in December 2024.

Cina, meanwhile, will also make his main draw debut at an ATP Tour event at the Miami Open, as a wild card. Cina, who is still only 17 and eligible for junior events, reached a career-high of No. 4 in the ITF World Tennis Tour boys’ rankings in January 2024.

He has been focusing on pro events this season and at the two events he has contested he won singles silverware at M15 Sharm El-Sheikh – his second ITF World Tennis Tour title – and reached the final at the Hersonissos Challenger.

Cina will face Argentina’s Francisco Comesana in the first round.