Federer, Del Potro Advanced To Miami 3R Showdown; Nadal, Nishikori Return Sunday

by Staff | March 26th, 2017, 10:32 am
  • 9 Comments

Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro advanced to a Monday third round in Miami. Federer upped his sparkling 2017 record to 14-1 after beating American teen Frances Tiafoe 7-6(2), 6-3 on a rainy Saturday.

“I’ve hit with Frances maybe twice before. I saw the power he had, the explosivity he had, how he easily can generate pace. He seemed to be fearless, good serving, taking the ball early and making the plays,” said Federer.

After winning Indian Wells, Federer is trying to win Miami for the first time since 2006, and third time overall.


Up next will be Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentine cruised past Robin Haase 6-2, 6-4 in a late-evening match.

“I’m happy for him with his comeback, winning at Davis Cup,” Federer said. “I should have played him here last year but I was sick. That was a pity. It’s better to play him maybe this time around when we’re both better.”

Seeds on the first day they played went 12-4 with Stan Wawrinka, John Isner, David Goffin and Tomas Berdych all getting through.

Among the four who fell were Feliciano Lopez to Malek Jaziri, Paolo Lorenzi to Adrian Mannarino, former finalist David Ferrer going down to Diego Schwartzman and Borna Coric upset 6 seed Dominic Thiem 6-1, 7-5.

On tap Sunday, Rafael Nadal resumes his bid for a first Miami title against Philipp Kohlschreiber. The match is Nadal’s 1,000 of his career (821-178). Nadal has won 13 of 14 against the German veteran.

2016 finalist Kei Nishikori collides with Fernando Verdasco. Jack Sock and Milos Raonic are also in action on the first day of the third round.

MIAMI SUNDAY SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 11:00 am
ATP – [25] F. Verdasco (ESP) vs [2] K. Nishikori (JPN)

Not Before 1:00 pm
WTA – [1] A. Kerber (GER) vs S. Rogers (USA)
WTA – [11] V. Williams (USA) vs [Q] P. Tig (ROU)
ATP – [5] R. Nadal (ESP) vs [26] P. Kohlschreiber (GER)

Not Before 7:30 pm
WTA – [3] S. Halep (ROU) vs [Q] A. Kontaveit (EST)

Not Before 9:00 pm
ATP – [13] J. Sock (USA) vs J. Vesely (CZE)

GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
WTA – [10] J. Konta (GBR) vs P. Parmentier (FRA)
ATP – [Q] J. Donaldson (USA) vs [3] M. Raonic (CAN)
ATP – B. Paire (FRA) vs D. Young (USA)
WTA – L. Arruabarrena (ESP) vs [8] M. Keys (USA)

Not Before 5:00 pm
ATP – [3] B. Bryan (USA) / M. Bryan (USA) vs [WC] N. Kyrgios (AUS) / M. Reid (AUS)


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9 Comments for Federer, Del Potro Advanced To Miami 3R Showdown; Nadal, Nishikori Return Sunday

skeezer Says:

Nadal in 2.
Match of the day?
Doubles!!

March 26th, 2017 at 10:44 am


AndyMira Says:

@RZ…that’s alright sis…we’ve already know at some point this year he will have this kind of problem,given his incredible run on the 2nd half last year..as a 2nd class fan like me…what he achieved last year already incredible and i will not forget the amazing feelings when i see him embraced those victories…it’s sooo awesome!hope he will recover soon and come back on tour as soon as possible…c’mon Andy!!

March 26th, 2017 at 10:56 pm


RZ Says:

@AM – it’s disappointing because I felt it was his time, but injury, shingles, etc. has done him in. He may not be able to play until the French Open, and he has a lot of points to defend. He’ll probably still be #1 through Wimbledon but still.

March 26th, 2017 at 11:09 pm


AndyMira Says:

@RZ…I know sis..but don’t be disappointed please..this kind of thing is out of our hands..it’s nature..and it’s happened for a reason..believe me…maybe it happened because Andy need rest?we all know he don’t have much time to rest very long last year..only 2 weeks?

As i remember after his father got married last December,Andy flown back to Florida to resume his training block..a training that i read from articles was very hard and intense that Ivan insisted him to do it…i am not surprised with this breakdown actually..what with his already full matches in 2016 and just rest for 2 weeks and then get back to work and compete on a high level again without much rest…this slippage is due..but Andy is one of the great champion RZ..he will bounce back when he’s healthy and fit again..he’s already found the answer last year..and he will find it again..

March 26th, 2017 at 11:51 pm


Aced out Says:

Federer should get the better of Delpo but it’ll be a fight. I was surprised by Nadal’s poor performance and in the end he won only because Kohlschriber’s level dropped badly in the 2nd and 3rd set. In any case here’s a good one on nadal, roger, djoko and murray http://www.138mph.com/decoding-the-big-three-murray/

March 26th, 2017 at 11:55 pm


skeezer Says:

Maybe there is a silver lining for Amdy here. Take some extended time off and get everything healed up. Players have a tendacy to play through injuries which at times is not a good thing. It can produce other injuries by putting more pressure on other body parts.

March 27th, 2017 at 10:33 am


lakie Says:

Agree 100% with skeezer. Raonic also should take a break to heal and work on changing the something in his game which is causing pressure on his hamstring.

March 27th, 2017 at 10:44 am


RZ Says:

@Skeezer and Lakie – I definitely agree, just disappointed.
Lakie, you are absolutely right about Raonic. It seems like his pattern for last year and this year is short breaks and early returns.

March 27th, 2017 at 2:09 pm

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