Former Champions Djokovic, Isner Open Miami With Wins, Thiem Upset; Federer, Zverev Today

Novak Djokovic began his campaign for a seventh Miami title Friday beating Bernard Tomic 7-6(2), 6-2. The Aussie who one lost in Miami in under 30 minutes, actually led Djokovic early with a break.

“He doesn’t give you much rhythm at all. Every ball is different. He can play equally well in the court and far behind the baseline, slows down the pace. He just has a very unconventional shot. Kind of hard to play someone that you can’t really predict what’s next,” Djokovic said. “Second set I played better. Overall it was a solid match.”

Djokovic will face Argentine Federico Delbonis Sunday in the third round.

American No. 1 John Isner opened his title defense beat Italian Lorenzo Sonego in typical Isner fashion, 7-6(2), 7-6(7). After a 4-1 edge, Sonego held one set point in the second set tiebreaker.

A pair of Top 10 seeds crashed out. Fresh off the biggest title of his career, Dominic Thiem tumbled out to Poland’s rising star Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 6-4.

“He played really well tonight and he’s also had some really good weeks leading in Dubai and Indian Wells,” Thiem said. “I didn’t play badly, but I did some things bad. He gave me the early break and I should have continued with that better than I did. But generally, he was just better and I wasn’t quite on my level like last week.”

And Kei Nishikori fell to Serb Dusan Lajovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3. Up next will be Nick Kyrgios tomorrow after the Australian won over Alexander Bublik 7-5, 6-3.

Canadian teen sensation Felix Auger-Aliassime continued to show promise besting Marton Fucsovics and Borna Coric also advanced.

Saturday sees the return of 3-time champion Roger Federer who will be heavily favored against qualifier Radu Albot.

In the evening, David Ferrer’s farewell continues against Alexander Zverev in a battle of former Miami finalists. One-handed backhand wizards Grigor Dimitrov, Denis Shapovalov, Stan Wawrinka and Stefanos Tsitsipas are also featured.

MIAMI SATURDAY SCHEDULE
Stadium 12:00 Noon
2nd Rd 30 Stan Wawrinka v Filip Krajinovic
Followed By
3rd Rd 1 Naomi Osaka v 27 SuWei Hsieh
Not Before 4:00 Pm
2nd Rd (Q) Radu Albot v 4 Roger Federer
Not Before 8:00 Pm
2nd Rd (WC) David Ferrer v 2 Alexander Zverev
Not Before 9:30 Pm
3rd Rd Bianca Andreescu v 8 Angelique Kerber

Grandstand 12:00 Noon
3rd Rd 3 Petra Kvitova v 26 Donna Vekic
Followed By
2nd Rd 24 Grigor Dimitrov v Feliciano Lopez
Followed By
3rd Rd (Q) Monica Niculescu v 13 Caroline Wozniacki
Followed By
2nd Rd 8 Stefanos Tsitsipas v (LL) Mackenzie McDonald
Not Before 7:00 Pm
3rd Rd Ajla Tomljanovic v 21 Anett Kontaveit

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