Nadal Routs Hewitt In Miami; Sharapova, Serena Survive While Djokovic Gets Walkover

by Staff | March 23rd, 2014, 10:11 am
  • 62 Comments

Playing in his first match in Miami in two years, Rafael Nadal routed former No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt 6-1, 6-3 last night in the second round at the Sony Open.

“It’s great for me to be back after not playing since 2012. I really enjoy it here,” Nadal said. “There was no better way to start my return than with a win like this.”

Nadal, who has never won the Miami title reaching the final three times, advances to meet Denis Istomin on Monday.


Nadal’s match was the only straight set affair on a long Stadium schedule that featured five contests going three sets, including the finale with Coco Vandeweghe knocking out Sam Stosur 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 at 2:30am.

Earlier, the American men fell hard again. While John Isner survived a spirited effort from Donald Young in three sets, Ryan Harrison, Sam Querrey and Jack Sock all lost leaving the 6-foot-10 former Georgia star the only American man into the third round for the second tournament in a row.

Australian Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych were also winners as was Roberto Bautista Agut who continued Jerzy Janowicz’s slump.

In the women’s draw, former champions Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova both struggled but won. Serena endured a brief rain delay then finally put away pesky 20-year-old Caroline Garcia 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

“She’s obviously a really good player,” said Serena. “She plays well. Granted, she played great, but I really gave myself a tremendous amount of trouble out there too – I made so many unforced errors, I hit so short, it really isn’t the same player – I really just have to do better.”

“It was already my third time playing Serena, so maybe she was a little less intimidating than the previous times,” Garcia said. “I just tried to forget it’s Serena Williams, forget that she’s won how many Grand Slams, and just be me and just play. And I’m happy with what I did. It was a good match.

“She’s a great player and she’s always fighting a lot. I think it was a good test for me.”

In the evening Lucia Safarova gave Sharapova all that she could handle but in the end the Russian got through 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in just under three hours.

“It was one of those days when I had all kinds of opportunities, but she just kept hitting all of these unbelievable shots and winners, especially in that last game,” Sharapova said in her on-court interview straight after the match. “I’m just so happy I was able to pull the match out in the end tonight.”

Today defending champion Andy Murray returns against Feliciano Lopez. Roger Federer is also in action as are Li Na and Sloane Stephens who faces Caroline Wozniacki.

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic was scheduled to play but gained a walkover when his third round opponent Florian Mayer withdrew with a groin injury.

Djokovic celebrated the news by attending a Miami Heat game!

SUNDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE

STADIUM start 11:00 am
WTA – M Keys (USA) vs [2] N Li (CHN)

Not Before 1:00 pm
ATP – [6] A Murray (GBR) vs [32] F Lopez (ESP)
ATP – [5] R Federer (SUI) vs [Q] T de Bakker (NED)
WTA – [WC] C Dellacqua (AUS) vs [29] V Williams (USA)

Not Before 7:30 pm
WTA – [17] S Stephens (USA) vs [11] C Wozniacki (DEN)

Not Before 9:00 pm
ATP – [31] A Seppi (ITA) vs [4] D Ferrer (ESP)


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62 Comments for Nadal Routs Hewitt In Miami; Sharapova, Serena Survive While Djokovic Gets Walkover

Giles Says:

Routing is good, no?
Vamos Champ!


Gordon Says:

Federer’s service game was ridiculous against Ivo the other night; he lost more 1st services than 2nd services: 2 to 1.

That’s right; he lost 1 service point in the first set, 1 in the first 6 games of the second set and 1 point in the tiebreaker. Never has a 6-4, 7-6 score looked so lopsided.

Raonic looked good last night against Sock. If he continues this play in a consistent manner we should have an interesting QF match with him playing Nadal, for Raonic has no seeded players to face before the QF match.


nadalista Says:

There is no doubt Raonic has improved his ground game since Rafa schooled him in the Montreal 2013 final. It will be an interesting match-up should they meet in Miami.


rafaeli Says:

“Playing in his first match in Miami in two years, Rafael Nadal……”

Rafa hasn’t played Miami for 3 years. He gave Murray a WO in 2012 so the last time he actually played there was in 2011.


Sean Randall Says:

Rafaeli, so Rafa didn’t playing Miami in 2012? Can you explain this further?


Hippy Chic Says:

Im looking forward to the Dimitrov/Nishikori match,two of the promising talented up and coming players,a future rivalry in waiting,also two players i like very much.


Giles Says:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/17560498
Sean. Rafa withdrew in Miami 2012 giving Murray a w/o due to knee injury.


Margot Says:

Yay! Yay! Yay! Come on Andy. Lopez was c*** though, gotta say. And Tsonga looked wild against Baggy and shouldna, couldna won really.


Slice Tennis Says:

Giles,
Sean is right here.

Rafa played 4 matches before his walkover in 2012.

Rafa didn’t lose in 2012 but he played.


rafaeli Says:

He didn’t play a complete tournament in 2012 because he pulled out before the SF. I know that strictly speaking he played some matches but I think the point should be made that he pulled out he wasn’t beaten.

Even the ATP said he lost to Murray in 2012 when they never even walked onto the court.


Slice Tennis Says:

Somehow tennis fans are deprived off Rafa-Andy matchup when Lendl was in charge.


rafaeli Says:

Slice Tennis Says:
Somehow tennis fans are deprived off Rafa-Andy matchup when Lendl was in charge.

March 23rd, 2014 at 2:45 pm

That may have made a difference to Lendl’s success or not.


Slice Tennis Says:

But I am very happy for what they achieved together.
Took away gold from Federer and two more slams from Nole when Rafa was at home.
Very significant in terms of long term history.


skeezer Says:

Fun match to watch with the Maestro. A BH winner off an overhead. Amazingl
Fed looking good so far, a lot of variety and moving well. Don’t expect him to win Miami, but nonetheless he is the most entertaining to watch. No grind o matic stuff.


Hippy Chic Says:

Federer v baby Federer in the next round,should be a great match,very pleasing to the eye.


nadalista Says:

Phoaw……..thank goodness for half-time. I need to catch my breath, and have a drink! Barca vs Real is unreal!

What the hell is Di Maria on? He’s everywhere!

#ElClasico


rafaeli Says:

Federer vs De Bakker reminds me of why I went off tennis during his TMF days. Fed’s style just doesn’t do it for me, it just looks like a knock up at a local club.

This is sport, no?

#taking cover already


rafaeli Says:

Hippy Chic Says:
Federer v baby Federer in the next round,should be a great match,very pleasing to the eye.

March 23rd, 2014 at 4:17 pm

That’s a matter of opinion.


James Says:

@Hippy Chic, Baby Fed still has to play Nishikori before meeting classic Fed.


Hippy Chic Says:

James meant the other baby Fed as in Gasquet not Grigor lol.


Hippy Chic Says:

Rafaeli yeah exactly a matter of opinion.


rafaeli Says:

What’s pleasing to my eye is watching the Spanish Bull strutting his stuff; but I’m not speaking for anyone else.


James Says:

Oops! ;) yeah forgot about that Baby Fed hehe. Classic Fed will win in straight sets again.

Watching El Clasico right now.

Can’t wait for Cibulka match to get over. Dimitrov vs Nishikori is next.


Hippy Chic Says:

James should be Baby Fed 1,and Baby Fed 2,or Baby Fed and Baby Gasquet,then Baby Dimitrov etc?anyway so excited about the Dmitrov/Nishikori match,as i like both players,whos your money on,and whom would you like to win?


Hippy Chic Says:

John im a big fan of Rafas,but i think im more of a tennis fan as a whole,i dont particlaly like the Nadal/Ferrer match up either,and i do like a variety when it comes to my tennis,i enjoy Rafas matches more on HCs as he plays more aggressive,the USO,Japan,Canada,IW last year was some of the best HC tennis ive ever seen him play,he gets away with grinding on clay,but not on HCs unless hes playing lesser players,as the matches get tougher against the top players i hope he plays aggressive tennis like last year,so he is adaptable,my two cents.


Hippy Chic Says:

^But ive never seen Space Odyssey though.^


James Says:

@HC, I hope it’s good match. Dimitrov has improved since their last match which Kei won 6-3, 6-3 in Shanghai. My money’s on Kei. I think he gets extra motivated when playing against other promising young players. He’s won all his matches so far against Dimitrov, Raonic and Tomic. But it wouldn’t surprised me if Grigor wins it. He’s played some good matches this year and won Acapulco.
What do you think?


John Says:

Yes Hippy Chic, just my point. Rafeli has no business jumping down your throat about an opinion which is pretty much universal. It seems as a Rafa fan, you are always picked upon for your more mature way of seeing tennis. You say it like it is – certain people don’t like it. Don’t let that discourage you. I think its nice and refreshing. You shouldn’t feel obligated to explain yourself either.


Hippy Chic Says:

James Kei gets extra motivated when playing other promising young players absolutely true,hmmm tough one to call i would say Grigor though as hes been in form lately,and he has a little more variety,and a better serve,i love these two though so im not really fussed who wins,and Lief Shiras thinks they are both GS winning meterial fingers crossed,off topic Grigor is a very handsome guy,and Maria is one very lucky lady,just thoght id throw that in lol.


John Says:

@rafaeli

If Fed wanted to play like Rafa, he would be stuck on 13. Your body can only take you so far, Fed likes to rely on talent.

@hc

Just having a dig, not serious. How else to respond? :)


skeezer Says:

“What’s pleasing to my eye is watching the Spanish Bull strutting his stuff;”
What stuff?


JF Says:

@ Nadalista,

That was a good game today Barca V. Real; it was as tight of a game that I have seen in a while. I’m glad Barca pulled it off. I miss seeing Puyols though.


James Says:

Nishikori almost bageled Dimitrov in 1st set Tie Break, was up 6-0. Won it 7-1. 1st set to Kei 7-6(1).


Okiegal Says:

If the talk on this thread is about what player is pleasing to the eye……I’m with Andy’s Mum on this one……Deliciano Lopez!! Hubba Hubba!!!


Okiegal Says:

@Chic

Did you get to see Na-Doll’ s match?? He was firing on all cylinders. Hope he keeps it going. He looked awesome!


Daniel Says:

Wow,

Dimitrov lost 5 straigth points after 40-0 1 point away from going to a tiebreak. Felt the pressure in the deciding moments of the macth. Nishikori was also returning all service bombs from Grigpr.


James Says:

Nishikori beats Dimitrov in straight sets again, 7-6(1), 7-5!
If Dimitrov wins 2-3 Slams in the future, Nishikori will have his chance to win 1 too.


skeezer Says:

Wow. Great win for Kei. The “Chang effect” appears to be paying off. Congrats!


James Says:

@skeezer, Nishikori beat Dimitrov 6-3, 6-3 in Shanghai last year even before the “Change effect” happened.


skeezer Says:

James,
Thanks but very aware of that. The fact that he backed it up with another win though is substantial.


metan Says:

Yessssssssssssss, KEI IN!!. 😄😄😄😄


Peep Says:

I dunno about baby feds. When he holds up a masters trophy I’ll be impressed. Maybe someday he will.


Humble Rafa Says:

Sad that I have no babies. I have to get that fixed soon, or it will be too late to catch up.


skeezer Says:

^you mean your not fixed alrady? Tee…hee.


Hippy Chic Says:

Okiegal yeah i saw Rafas match,and it wasnt a great match,but great to see him looking like he means buisness,and i hope it continues,agree about Deliciano too,especially with the new haircut,but i have always thought Fabio was the hottest male tennis player on tour JMO though,but there are many hot male tennis players,and our spanish friend is also one.


Hippy Chic Says:

James i was wrong as i thought Grigor would win this one,pleased for Kei though,and not bothered really as i like both players,must be the Chang/Change effect lol,so excited about these two players and i hope its a future rivalry too,Lief Shiras thinks they are both potential GS champions for the future,i hope hes right,both have alot of talent,i think Kei is mentally tougher though.


Hippy Chic Says:

Humble Rafa no Humble Babies on the horizon as yet with the loverly Xisca?


Okiegal Says:

@Chic

Fabio is a nice looking guy, a bit of a head case. He is quite entertaining to watch. I watched a you tube of him where he pulled his shorts down. It was hilarious. He wasn’t given a warning for his actions either. That surprised me….oh well!!


rafaeli Says:

Sorry, there is a gremlin on my iPad .


Giles Says:

Fabio is dating Flavia!


Hippy Chic Says:

Okiegal @4.06am lol,my kind of guy then.


Okiegal Says:

@Giles

Who does Deliciano date, if you happen to know? Judy, maybe? LOL

@Chic……..knew you would appreciate that!!


Hippy Chic Says:

Okiegal Fabio is the hottest man in tennis,and Hugh Jackman is the hottest man in the world period lol.


Giles Says:

@Okiegal. Am sure he has more than one g/f but don’t think Judy is one of them. She sure would relish the thought though. Lol


Giles Says:

Okie @ Alison. Are you two gals sure you want to be on a tennis forum? Lol
#HaveMyDoubts


Hippy Chic Says:

Giles lol just a bit of light hearted banter,and you have to admit it makes a refreshing change from all the bickering that goes on here.


Giles Says:

As you were Alison. No problem. Lol


Okiegal Says:

@Giles

Will agree with Chic……just a little fun! I bet Judy would jump at the chance for “Feli Fling”. LOL


nadalista Says:

Bull on the rampage!!!!


nadalista Says:

Ladies and Gentlemen, let the records show: Denis Istoman was allowed one game tonight…..

And the shirt is off! Mama mia…………..


Jose Felciano Says:

serious back injuries don’t heal this quick…..too bad nadal career will always be under shadow of gamesmanship

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