Tsitsipas, Rublev Advance At Miami Masters; Isner v Auger-Aliassime Sun.

Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev both made statement starts to their 2021 Miami Masters campaigns on Saturday.

Tsitsipas cruised past lucky loser Damir Dzumhur in the heat 6-1, 6-4. The Greek has lost three of four coming in against Dzumhur.

“It was a great match, especially against a guy that I probably don’t have a good record playing against in the past,” said Tsitsipas. “I started the match very strong, breaking him twice and taking a big lead in the score, and I think the things worked out by themselves after that.”

He’ll now face Kei Nishikori who got past Aljaz Bedene in three.

“He’s a player that has played very well in the past, and even now he can raise his level really high,” Tsitsipas said of facing Nishikori. “I’ll try and be ready for the battle. It’s important for me to have matches against strong opponents like him.”

Rublev had no issues dusting former Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren 6-1, 6-2. Rublev never faced a break point. Up next will be Marton Fucsovics.

Youngsters Sebastian Korda and Lorenzo Musetti were also second round winners. Korda ousted No. 10 seed Fabio Fognini in three sets 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 for his first career Top 20 win.

Korda will now collide Monday with the surprise of 2021, Aslan Karatsev.

Denis Shapovalov, Diego Schwartzman, Milos Raonic and Marin Cilic were also winners. Alex De Minaur fell to Daniel Elahi Galan in the big upset of the day.

Third round play in the men’s draw opens on Sunday with the return of Daniil Medvedev and former champion John Isner faces Felix Auger-Aliassime. Jannik Sinner also tests Karen Khachanov.

SUNDAY MIAMI SCHEDULE
Grandstand – 11an
[11]Auger-Aliassime (CAN) vs. [18]Isner (USA)
NB 1pm
[2]Osaka (JON) vs. [Q]Stojanovic (SRB)
[1]Medvedev (RUS) vs. Popyrin (AUS)

NB 7pm
[8]Andreescu (CAN) vs. [28]Anisimova (USA)
[16]Lajovic (SRB) vs. Tiafoe (USA)

HIGHLIGHTS