Juan Martin Del Potro Wins, Will Face Roger Federer Friday; Serena Williams, Simona Halep Thursday In Miami

by Staff | March 24th, 2016, 12:27 am
  • 22 Comments

Juan Martin del Potro won his Miami Open first round match 6-0, 7-6 over countryman Guido Pella to set up a super showdown against Roger Federer Friday afternoon.

Federer leads 15-5 over the Argentine, but del Potro memorably got him at the 2009 US Open in five sets. Federer, like del Potro, is also coming off injury.

“We’re both coming off injuries but I think it will be a really good match,” del Potro told Reuters. “I’m going to play my best tennis against Roger.”


Other winners were 18-year-olds Alexander Zverev and qualifier Taylor Fritz. Zverev knocked out American Michael Mmoh in two breakers while Fritz blasted Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-2.

21-year-old Kyle Edmund topped Jiri Vesely in a final set breaker and Fernando Verdasco, Vasek Pospisil, Sam Groth and former semifinalist Juan Monaco were also winners.

In the women’s draw, the first round saw Lucie Hradeka bounce Eugenie Bouchard 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

“I’m so happy,” Hradecka said. “It was definitely a tough match. I started very well and then at the end of the first set, I started to be a little more nervy and tight.”

Irina Falconi, Yanina Wickmayer, Caroline Garcia and Christina Mchale were also winners. Mchale will meet 8-time champion Serena Williams on Thursday in the second round.

Also on Thursday, Simona Halep will meet upstart Daria Kasatkina, Sloane Stephens tests Heather Watson and Rafael Nadal is in doubles action.

THURSDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE
SCHEDULE – THURSDAY, 24 MARCH 2016

STADIUM start 11:00 am
ATP – A. Seppi (ITA) vs D. Young (USA)
ATP – B. Coric (CRO) vs D. Istomin (UZB)
WTA – [WC] H. Watson (GBR) vs [20] S. Stephens (USA)
Not Before 5:00 pm
WTA – [1] S. Williams (USA) vs C. Mchale (USA)

Not Before 7:30 pm
WTA – D. Kasatkina (RUS) vs [5] S. Halep (ROU)
Not Before 9:00 pm
ATP – M. Baghdatis (CYP) vs [Q] B. Becker (GER)

GRANDSTAND start 10:50 am
WTA – I. Falconi (USA) vs [8] P. Kvitova (CZE)
ATP – [Q] T. Paul (USA) vs [Q] T. Smyczek (USA)
ATP – P. Mathieu (FRA) vs S. Giraldo (COL)
Not Before 3:00 pm
ATP – R. Nadal (ESP) / F. Verdasco (ESP) vs S. Bolelli (ITA) / A. Seppi (ITA)
Not Before 5:00 pm
ATP – [WC] E. Ymer (SWE) vs F. Delbonis (ARG)


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22 Comments for Juan Martin Del Potro Wins, Will Face Roger Federer Friday; Serena Williams, Simona Halep Thursday In Miami

Green Lady Says:

Ill pop the cherry of this new thread ….

Anyway i think Delpo v Federer, will be an intersting match, to see where both are at after injury lay offs, difficult one to call, but i think Federer will take this one, especially been fresh and all, Delpo i think its about getting matches under his belt at the moment, and i dont think hes quite there yet, leave alone 2009 USO GS winning form, hes doing OK against lesser players, but you cant decipher much unless he beats, or plays a top 10 player close, my two cents ….

March 24th, 2016 at 7:39 am


Margot Says:

Let’s talk tennis, Grenn Lady….surely not? ;)
Should be a very interesting match between Rog and JM. Both a tad rusty, I’d say. Come on Herbert too, you darling net player you.
And come on Simona and Angie, Petra and Sloane….oops shouldn’t be cheering for Sloane…..but I like her! Am in a win, win tho.
Kath, where are you? Have damn visitors for Easter won’t be watching till next week, so you’ll have to do extra cheering! (Only kidding re visitors, they are special friends.)

March 24th, 2016 at 8:21 am


skeezer Says:

Not too confident about this RF/Delpo match. Feds first match back is against this guy? Geez…

That said it’s good to have Delpo back on the tour also….go gentle giant!

March 24th, 2016 at 11:13 am


RZ Says:

I posted this on another thread but meant to post it here (though it doesn’t fit in any of the current threads). Robin Haase’s coach has been arrested for murder. http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/03/24/tennis-coach-caught-at-schiphol-in-businessman-everinks-murder/

March 24th, 2016 at 12:21 pm


J-Kath Says:

@ Margot

Am newly surrounded by new issues. Advised HMRC about Walter’s demise…put my sister Chris in his place. Not able to bank recent payment as we have no joint a/c. Hassle, hassle, hassle…

Back to tennis: Am reading comments on TX – liked Jane’s “trump” card…always read yours fully and Green Lady + few others…but got a bit weary of the equal pay issue….maybe the excitement starts tomorrow.

Enjoy the visit…used to like visits myself…nobody welcome at the moment (except Chris & co.). Planning visits to friends and relations from end April onwards.

Sorri to be so boring…poor you..see what U get for being kind.

March 24th, 2016 at 12:27 pm


SG1 Says:

Another Nadal/Verdasco match? LOL.

March 24th, 2016 at 12:40 pm


SG1 Says:

I’m sure Federer is fine. He should handle DelPotro just fine by pecking away at his backhand side. And Federer will come into the net and not allow DelPo to float shots back from the backhand side.

March 24th, 2016 at 12:42 pm


Tennis Vagabond Says:

I can’t imagine DelPotro can be ready to beat the world #3 already, but if Fed is still hobbled by the injury, anything can happen.

I’m a huge Fed fan (as some of you may have picked up), but I’ll actually be thrilled if DelPo wins.

Not too interested in today;s matches. Baghdatis vs Becker? Shouldn’t this be on the Seniors tour? ((yes, I know which B Becker it is. I remember him playing Agassi, I think, for his final match))

March 24th, 2016 at 1:43 pm


Van Persie Says:

I would be very glad, if Delpo wins. Would mean a lot for him atm….

March 24th, 2016 at 2:42 pm


RZ Says:

@Margot – Sloane is playing Heather Watson today. That could be a really good match if both bring their games.

March 24th, 2016 at 2:46 pm


MMT Says:

Generally, in this match up, I have always felt, since semi-final at Roland Garros in 2009, that the match is on his racquet, because of the power he generates, which can force almost anyone to defend. The more he can push Federer behind the baseline, the further Federer is from the net, making drop shots and net play difficult.

That Federer has the better of the head to head is a testament to his versatility, but when Federer is playing well, as he was at the US Open final in 2009, del Potro can still simply blow him, and anyone else in tennis, off the court if he’s in the mood.

My gut feeling is that del Potro has enough matches under his belt to make it difficult for Federer, who presumably needs some practice to bring his full arsenal of skills (which he needs in this match up) to the court.

Therefore, my money is on del Potro.

March 24th, 2016 at 3:10 pm


Ioulia Napalkova Says:

Can’t wait to see ” poetry in motion” – Juan Martin’s tennis game again! And, to hear it too!! Good luck tomorrow, Delpo!! You can do it!

March 24th, 2016 at 3:30 pm


RZ Says:

Well so far it looks like Heather Watson has brought her game but Sloane hasn’t. Sloane is very close to getting bageled…

March 24th, 2016 at 4:39 pm


jalep Says:

Wow, Sloane got a bagel – Lost to Heather! I missed the match – just got home. Sloane was the seeded player in that match. Looks like all the other seeds made it through so far. Serena, Halep, and Kuznetsova left to go.

March 24th, 2016 at 4:48 pm


jalep Says:

Gosh. What a year for tennis, already. Robin Haase’s coach. What’s next?

March 24th, 2016 at 4:50 pm


Giles Says:

Delpo ” poetry in motion”? Are you serious?

March 24th, 2016 at 5:08 pm


jalep Says:

Juan Martin Delpo still looked tentative hitting his backhand and was missing too much with his forehand. But Pella wasn’t much of a test. (Pella’s great on SA clay).
McHale is making a match of it vs Serena! McHale got a set, by joe. 1-1 in the decider…

Friday matches ATP (the ones I like)
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/scores/current/miami/403/daily-schedule

Federer v Delpo. Federer should win in straight sets, I’d think, unless he’s really off his game. Photos he posted of himself make me think he’s fine.

Ferrer v Fritz. Fritz gets a tennis lesson from a legend.

Nole v Kyle Edmund. Can Kyle stretch Nole to 3 sets like Fratangelo did?

Stevie Johnson v Sascha Zverev. Go Sascha!

WTA, Big day for fortunate coat tail rider’s 👍 And not a bad match in the lot.

Kerber v Strycova. Should be good. Kerber has been cold since AO, but, she’s due. Strycova is riding a waves of wins in 2016.

Vika v Monica Puig. Puerto Rican, Puig, has a legion of fans in Miami and isn’t going to go be intimidated.

Upset alert: Cibulkova over Muguruza and possibly Coco Vandeweghe over last years’ finalist, Suarez-Navarro. Best single-handed backhand in tennis – Carla Suarez-Navarro.

Kiki Mladenovic v Nicole Gibbsy!

Jo Konta over Everyone!

Both Pliskova twins in action…
Karolina Pliskova v Timea Babos
Bencic v the Other Pliskova Twin

A match for Van Persie: Sabine Lisicki v Irina-Camilia Begu.

Big hitting Madison Keys – Kimberly tipped her.

There’s more, but that’s more than enough.

March 24th, 2016 at 7:00 pm


J-Kath Says:

Gosh Jalep

Nole v Kyle ….Nole will win but I fully expect he may have a tassle if Kyle approaches it as he approached a Davis Cup match…i.e. he did well in 3 sets, couldn’t handle the 5 sets though. If Kyle is fit, Nole will need to play a bit better than he usually has to at the beginning of a tournament. Could be interesting – could be dull as mud with Kyle sent home “to think again”.

March 24th, 2016 at 7:17 pm


jalep Says:

No kidding, J-Kath.

Nole makes me nervous in his first matches and Kyle will play like there’s no tomorrow – nothing to lose. Or…didn’t know Kyle had been sick.

Was watching the end of Serena v McHale – poor Christina you could see had it in mind to win and it was a great effort to win the 2nd set. Serena had to dig deep. Makes me wonder about her…

Now for the match I’ve been waiting for: Simona Halep v Russian teen, Daria Kasatkina. Daria is extremely ambitious to become seeded for upcoming tournaments this spring – she’s inside the top 40.

March 24th, 2016 at 7:35 pm


RZ Says:

@Jalep – I watched Kovinic play against Kvitova in IW. She was tough. I’d pick Konta to win that one but don’t think it’ll be easy.

March 24th, 2016 at 8:06 pm


jalep Says:

RZ – Should be a good one, I’d think – Konta v Kovinic. I didn’t mention Danka because I was doubting anyone knew her!

For Margot. Happy to see PHH is into the next round. He’ll play Kei on Saturday.

Halep v Kasatkina isn’t terribly exciting. Another good win for Simona coming.

March 24th, 2016 at 8:50 pm


Margot Says:

@Kath
Not boring me Kath darling. Take care.
@jalep
PHH is such a lovely player. No chance against Kei. But has done well in doubles, so here’s hoping.
Oh my Heather!

March 25th, 2016 at 2:04 am

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