While everyone waits for the Novak Djokovic match with Martin Klizan, here’s some updates here at the 2015 Miami Open Masters to tide you over. The Djokovic match is highly anticipated as he is very focused and ready to hold on to his four-time open legacy. He didn’t fare so well yesterday in doubles, but you can be sure he’ll make up for that tonight.
Sixth seed David Ferrer raced through his opener in 58 minutes, dismissing Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-1. The Spaniard converted five of his 11 break points and won 56 per cent of points on Delbonis’ serve as he claimed his 20th win of the season.
The 32-year-old Ferrer has already won three ATP World Tour titles this season in Doha (d. Berdych), Rio de Janeiro (d. Fognini) and Acapulco (d. Nishikori). He reached the final in Miami two years ago, squandering a match point as he finished runner-up to Andy Murray.
Top American John Isner beat teenage wild card Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4 in just over an hour. The 29-year-old Isner lost just six points on serve as he secured his sixth win of the season. The right-hander is coming off his best showing of the year so far in Indian Wells, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the fourth round. He goes on to face either Grigor Dimitrov or Vasek Pospisil.
“I knew it was a match I needed to be focused for,” said Isner. “I needed to come out ready to play, because he’s a talented, very talented kid. Anything can happen. It was a tough match, but I played pretty well. I did what I needed to do.”
American Jack Sock kept up his good run of form with a 7-6(4), 6-1 victory over No. 21 seed Fabio Fognini. The 22 year old made his return from pelvis surgery last week in Indian Wells by winning the doubles title with Vasek Pospisil and reaching the singles fourth round (l. to Federer). He advances to an enticing third-round clash with fellow young gun, Dominic Thiem of Austria.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was victorious on his comeback from an arm injury on Saturday at the Miami Open presented by Itaú, reaching the third round with a hard-fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Tim Smyczek.
Playing his first match of the season, Tsonga advanced in one hour and 51 minutes, hitting 11 aces and breaking his American opponent twice. “I didn’t expect to play my best tennis today, but I’m happy the way I managed my match,” said the Frenchman.
“I played pretty solid. I just had a little hole in the second set. But, it’s normal when I haven’t played in a couple of months now. I hope it’s going to be better and better, but for the first match it was already something good for me.”
A three-time quarter-finalist in Miami, Tsonga set up an all-French third-round clash with Gael Monfils after the 17th seed edged Serbian qualifier Filip Krajinovic 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) in just under two hours. Tsonga leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head series 4-1.
Gilles Simon finished strongly to defeat Mikhail Kukushkin 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-0 and he was joined in the third round by fellow Frenchman, Adrian Mannarino, who battled past Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
Juan Monaco claimed his 10th win of the season as he upset 14th seedErnests Gulbis, 6-2, 6-4. The 30-year-old Argentine recently reached the Buenos Aires final (l. to Nadal) and is a former semi-finalist in Miami (2012, l. to Djokovic).
Fernando Verdasco set an all-Spanish third-round clash with second seedRafael Nadal after overcoming Australia’s James Duckworth 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. The 31-year-old Verdasco trails their FedEx ATP Head2Head 1-13, but his lone victory came in the pair’s last meeting, three years ago on clay in Madrid.
Elsewhere, 26th seed Lukas Rosol beat 17-year-old qualifier Alexander Zverev7-6(0), 6-3 in 90 minutes. Zverev was one of four teenagers to reach the second round in Miami.
Fourth seed Kei Nishikori made an emphatic start to his Miami Open presented by Itaú campaign on Saturday, dismissing Mikhail Youzhny 6-2, 6-1 in 69 minutes to reach the third round of this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament.
The Japanese star won 70 per cent of his service points and converted five of his 16 break point chances to level his FedEx ATP Head2Head series with Youzhny at 1-1. The 25-year-old Nishikori claimed his 19th win of the season, highlighted by winning the Memphis title (d. Anderson) and reaching the Acapulco final (l. to Ferrer).
“I felt really good on the court,” said Nishikori. “Really confident. It was a little windy, but the weather was actually good. It wasn’t too hot or too humid. It was easy to play. And also I was almost dictating the court against Misha, and serving well. Everything was good. So really happy the way I’m playing today.”