Djokovic, Federer v Medvedev Today At Miami; Ferrer Out

After days of upsets, things went more according to form in the men’s draw at the Miami Open on Monday, with just one minor upset.

Three-time champion Roger Federer had his way with Serb Filip Krajinovic in a 7-5, 6-3 victory.

“I thought I served very well, because Filip can return very well, especially on second serve,” Federer said. “I know I could feel the pressure maybe, to some extent, if I don’t make the first serves. But I still kept going after them, and I was able to hit my spots and keep the pressure on and shorten points as the match went on.”

Federer will now face Russian giant Daniil Medvedev who won all seven points in the final set breaker against American big man Reilly Opelka 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 7-6(0). The match featured zero breaks of serve and 41 aces.

“I’m looking forward to the game,” Federer said of Medvedev. “I’m very impressed about his progress. I must say the last year has been unbelievable for him… Very impressive.”

Federer has won both meetings over Medvedev but the 23-year-old has four titles since the start of last year.

After two semi-surprise wins over Sam Querrey and Alexander Zverev, David Ferrer couldn’t keep his Miami farewell going against Frances Tiafoe, but he fought hard is a tough 5-7, 6-3, 6-3 loss to the American.

Ferrer, who made the Miami finals in 2013, will play two more events in Barcelona and Madrid before officially calling it a career.

Next for Tiafoe is former Miami semifinalist David Goffin who was a 6-4, 6-4 victor over Marco Cecchinato.

Also setting up an intriguing fourth round clash today were youngsters Stefanos Tsitsipas and Denis Shapovalov.

Tsitsipas eased past Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 6-4 while Shapovalov ousted Andrey Rublev 6-4, 7-6(5). The two split two meetings last year.

In the lone upset, Grigor Dimitrov fell to Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-4. Dimitrov was returning from a shoulder injury. Thompson now takes on Kevin Anderson today. Anderson, who is coming back from an elbow issue, beat Joao Sousa 6-4, 7-6.

On Tuesday, all remaining men will be in action as the fourth round is scheduled for one day. Six-time champion Novak Djokovic returns against Roberto Bautista Agut and Borna Coric battles Nick Kyrgios.

TUESDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE
Stadium 12:00 Noon
4th Rd 19 Kyle Edmund v 7 John Isner
Not Before 2:00 Pm
QF 27 SuWei Hsieh v 21 Anett Kontaveit
Followed By
4th Rd 1 Novak Djokovic v 22 Roberto Bautista Agut

Not Before 7:30 Pm
QF 3 Petra Kvitova v 12 Ashleigh Barty
Not Before 9:00 Pm
4th Rd 13 Daniil Medvedev v 4 Roger Federer

Grandstand 12:00 Noon
4th Rd (Q) Felix AugerAliassime v 17 Nikoloz Basilashvili
Followed By
4th Rd 11 Borna Coric v 27 Nick Kyrgios
Not Before 3:00 Pm
4th Rd 6 Kevin Anderson v Jordan Thompson
Followed By
4th Rd 18 David Goffin v 28 Frances Tiafoe
Not Before 7:00 Pm
4th Rd 8 Stefanos Tsitsipas v 20 Denis Shapovalov