Del Potro Ups Win Streak To 13 In Miami, Dimitrov Dumped; Kyrgios v Fognini Tomorrow
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Juan Martin del Potro kept it rolling Sunday in Miami. The Indian Wells champion upped his win streak to 13 after pounding former finalist Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-2 to reach the fourth round.
“I think I’m playing good,” said del Potro. “I can play even better, but I need to get confidence playing on this court, trying to keep winning matches. But it is not easy. My body is starting to feel tight because of all my success.
“But I’m enjoying playing this tournament. I would like to stay longer because it’s a special tournament for me. It is the last time playing here in Key Biscayne, so I would love to stay here few more days.”
Nishikori, was playing his first event after missing Indian Wells with an illness, had early break chances but that was pretty much it for the 2016 runner-up.
Del Potro moves on to face Serb Filip Krajinovic who rolled past Novak Djokovic’s conquerer Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-2. That match will be on Tuesday.
The two highest seeds left in the draw had a mixed day. Marin Cilic eased past Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 7-6(4) while Grigor Dimitrov’s slump continued as the World No. 4 fell to Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 6-4.
Dimitrov has lost four of his last five matches.
Chardy will next face Indian Wells semifinalist Milos Raonic who never dropped serve in a 7-6, 6-3 win in the evening over Diego Schwartzman.
After a poor start to the year, maybe American big man John Isner is finding form. Isner eased past Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3. He’ll get Cilic next.
Hyeon Chung won his 17th match of the year with a dominating American qualifier Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-1. He’ll take on Joao Sousa who won a thriller over Jared Donaldson.
On Monday, the third round wraps up with former 2013 finalist David Ferrer facing Alexander Zverev and an intriguing affair as the combustible duo of Fabio Fognini and Nick Kyrgios collide for a first time. Both made the semifinals of Miami a year ago.
“I know my body is not 100% just yet, but I also know that it’s going to take some time to get back to where I was and playing at the level I was playing at the start of the year,” Kyrios said.
Tomas Berdych also meets young American Frances Tiafoe and Thanasi Kokkinakis will try to avoid the post-Federer letdown against Fernando Verdasco. And Jack Sock battles Indian Wells semifinalist Borna Coric.
MONDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 11:00 am
ATP – S. Johnson (USA) vs [16] P. Carreno Busta (ESP)
Not Before 1:00 pm
WTA – [3] G. Muguruza (ESP) vs [13] S. Stephens (USA)
ATP – [17] N. Kyrgios (AUS) vs [15] F. Fognini (ITA)
WTA – [8] V. Williams (USA) vs [11] J. Konta (GBR)
7:30 pm
ATP – [4] A. Zverev (GER) vs [28] D. Ferrer (ESP)
Not Before 9:00 pm
WTA – [6] J. Ostapenko (LAT) vs [Q] S. Kenin (USA) or [9] P. Kvitova (CZE)
GRANDSTAND start 11:00 am
ATP – [Q] T. Kokkinakis (AUS) vs [31] F. Verdasco (ESP)
ATP – [11] S. Querrey (USA) vs D. Shapovalov (CAN)
Not Before 3:00 pm
WTA – [30] A. Radwanska (POL) vs [WC] V. Azarenka (BLR)
ATP – [29] B. Coric (CRO) vs [8] J. Sock (USA)
ATP – [10] T. Berdych (CZE) vs F. Tiafoe (USA)
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