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Former champions Roger Federer and Andy Murray enjoyed a light workout on Sunday at the Sony Open in Miami. Defending champion Murray briskly took care of Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-1.
Murray is no longer coached by Ivan Lendl but the Czech tennis great was in the stands in support of his former charge.
“I moved well [and] returned well,” said Murray who is now 9-0 against the man his mum Judy calls “Deliciano”. “It’s not always that easy to feel comfortable against him because there is not [a lot] of rhythm with the way he plays.”
Murray moves on to face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday. The Frenchman was a 3-set winner over Marcos Baghdatis in a battle of former Australian Open finalists.
Following Murray it was Federer’s turn to give a lesson on Stadium. And the Swiss did just that pounding Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker 6-3, 6-3.
Federer’s win was his 21st of the season, most on the tour in 2014. And he’s won 13 of his last 14 matches. Next for the Swiss is the original Baby Fed, Richard Gasquet.
“We have played many times now and I’m not sure how he’s playing right now,” said Federer of Gasquet. “I have to find a little bit. He’s got great game [and] gives himself time, sort of that extra second of time on each shot β forehand and backhand.
“He’s a good all around player. With the wind and the slower conditions, it works quite well for him. I think it’s going to be a tough match for me.”
In other matches, Kei Nishikori ended Grigor Dimitrov’s Spring hardcourt season 7-6, 7-5. David Ferrer was an easy winner and Tommy Robredo also advanced.
In the women’s draw, Li Na toughed out Madison Keys 7-6, 6-3. Former champion Venus Williams was also a winner as were Agnieszka Radwanska and Varvara Lepchenko.
In the night match, the Caroline Wozniacki-Sloane Stephens match fell flat as the Dane dominated in a blowout 6-1, 6-0 victory. The 16th-ranked Stephens came in higher ranked than Wozniacki by two spots, but she won just five total points in the second set.
“Just got my butt kicked, that’s about it really,” Stephens said. “I tried a lot of things, and it just wasn’t my night. It was disappointing. Just didn’t click for me.”
On tap on Monday, Rafael Nadal resumes his bid for a first Miami title against Denis Istomin. The women will play their full 8-match fourth round featuring both Serena and Venus and Maria Sharapova.
MONDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 11:00 am
WTA – [4] M Sharapova (RUS) vs [19] K Flipkens (BEL)
WTA – [1] S Williams (USA) vs [Q] C Vandeweghe (USA)
ATP – [3] S Wawrinka (SUI) vs E Roger-Vasselin (FRA)
ATP – [1] R Nadal (ESP) vs D Istomin (UZB)
Not Before 7:30 pm
ATP – [10] J Isner (USA) vs [18] N Almagro (ESP)
Not Before 9:00 pm
WTA – [29] V Williams (USA) vs [10] D Cibulkova (SVK)
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
ATP – [12] M Raonic (CAN) vs G Garcia-Lopez (ESP)
ATP – [22] A Dolgopolov (UKR) vs [LL] D Lajovic (SRB)
Not Before 3:00 pm
WTA – [12] A Ivanovic (SRB) vs [8] P Kvitova (CZE)
ATP – R Bautista Agut (ESP) vs [14] F Fognini (ITA)
ATP – J Sousa (POR) vs [7] T Berdych (CZE)
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