Miami Masters - 26 March 2014

Apologies LK, on using a different convention for the thread title.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

STADIUM Start 10:50 am

Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP)
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)
v
[WC] Martina Hingis (SUI)
Sabine Lisicki (GER)

Hingis's second(?) comeback (without Kournikova). Looking forward to this one.

Not Before 1:00 pm

[10] Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
v
[3] Agnieszka Radwanska (POL)

If Cibulkova keeps her focus, she is a tough one, but Radwanska in three.

Not Before 3:00 pm

[6] Andy Murray (GBR)
v
[2] Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Intensely watched rivalry, can Murray cause an upset?

Not Before 7:00 pm

[11] Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
v
[2] Na Li (CHN)

Na should win this in two.

Not Before 9:00 pm

[5] Roger Federer (SUI)
v
[20] Kei Nishikori (JPN)

Was the Ferrer upset a one-off, or can Kei cause an even bigger upset?

GRANDSTAND Start 1:00 pm

Juan Sebastian Cabal (COL)
Robert Farah (COL)
v
[2] Alexander Peya (AUT)
Bruno Soares (BRA)

[4] Kveta Peschke (CZE)
Katarina Srebotnik (SLO)
v
[5] Cara Black (ZIM)
Sania Mirza (IND)

Can Peschke/Srebotnik continue their IW QF success and get further?

Not Before 4:30 pm

[6] Daniel Nestor (CAN)
Nenad Zimonjic (SRB)
v
[WC] Ryan Harrison (USA)
Jack Sock (USA)

The veteran pair to beat the wild cards?

I am actually favouring a Murray victory tonight. If he can just up his level from yesterday against Tsonga, I think he can win. It will be interesting to see how aggressive Andy plays with his niggle and what will interest me is how many visits to the net both players will make given Novak has worked on his net play. I will plump for Murray in 3 tight sets.

As for Federer and Nishikori, I actually wanted Ferrer to win last night as I thought from such a scrap he would have more left in the tank. I feel for Nishi having played a fitter Dimitrov in a close match and had an all out war against Ferrer. The last player you really want to play is an in form Federer who gives you no time on the ball. I think a routine Federer 2 sets victory is in order.

First meeting since Wimbledon, and here's hoping for an exciting tussle between Andy and Novak ; provided the back isn't a problem, I see no reason why Andy can't come through this one. Over the last couple of years, Novak is only marginally ahead at 5-4, so if Andy can even things up at 5-5 I wouldn't consider it "an upset" as per lf's preview.

Federer / Nishikori could be interesting. Yes, Nishi may be feeling the effects so to speak ; but he does have quite an engine and will surely be pumped. I think on balance the odds are with Fed, he has been totally untroubled so far, but tonight it could well be closer than 'routine'

Either way, Nishi has at least avenged the loss suffered in his previous meeting with Ferrer, which coincidentally was also in R16 Miami, last year.

Andy seems to be building a decent head of steam and the performance v Tsonga was very good. But Novak is step up from the players he's beaten so far.

Novak is also starting to move up through the gears. I thought he was poor for so much of Indian Wells, I really don't know how he won there. He's looked better in Miami and, although I wouldn't describe his performance v Robredo as great, there were signs of some good form. The BHDTL, an infrequent visitor in 2014, made a few appearances. The presence of that shot is usually a pretty good barometer of his form.

This is one of those that I think Novak will win but I wouldn't be shocked if Andy did.

Nishikori is going up in my estimation. He, along with all of that generation, has gifts as a player but has frequently folded when the pressure is on. He showed some real bravery in the Ferrer match though, so I hope this is a breakthrough.

Federer however, looks imperious and his backhand is back with a vengeance.

Assuming Nishikori isn't feeling the effects of his battle with Ferrer, I think he can make it tough for Federer but I don't think he's quite ready to beat the Old Master.

My feeling for this one is a Federer win that looks comfortable by the scoreline but feels much closer as you watch it.

I think...Novak to edge this one in three, possibly after dropping the first set. Murray looks good this week though, wouldn't be surprised if he upsets the applecart (but if he does, I think this is as far as he goes).

Federer to demolish Nishikori. I'm a big Kei fan, but can't see him troubling Fed on this kind of form, especially after the marathon match. Federer's serving has been outrageous this week so far, though if he gets through, a far sterner test awaits.

Can't watch the matches tonight as I'm at my sister's wedding rehearsal, but hopefully they'll be competitive and entertaining

It is odd but neither Murray or Djokovic has looked convincing this season. Good win over Tsonga although Tsonga is another player who hasn't hit the high notes this season. I think we will see a good match. Although the way these two return and retrieve on this slow court the only thing I hope for is that the wind doesn't kick up and create a sloppy match. This is one of the famously windy center courts sitting almost right on the water and in the design of the stadium. In a windy day I would favor Murray. Novak needs to stay focused over the course of whole match something that he has rarely done this year despite winning 1 of the 3 tournaments he has entered.

Silver wrote:Can't watch the matches tonight as I'm at my sister's wedding rehearsal, but hopefully they'll be competitive and entertaining

Congratulations! Perhaps Federer can win Miami and give you a gift.

If you keep a mobile handy, you may get some commentary on the Federer-Nishikori, but it is a late night match for the British fans.

Very happy to see the Swiss Miss win her doubles from the brink down 5-2 in second set TB.

Why would Andy beating Djoko be an upset?  It would be godsend  

LF, greets to the bride

@Jahu... Djokovic looked pretty comfortable against Robredo. The match may be decided on very few close points. IMVHO, Djokovic would be the favourite.

M v D has wait for R v C to finish. Cibulkova wins the second set TB.

Come on Andy, strighten his ugly ears   

Jahu wrote:Come on Andy, strighten his ugly ears   

Djokovic is a Vulcan, Jahu. . Live Long and Prosper!

Hahahaha, well let him fix his eyebrows then   

Nole in 3. Not quite certain it's reached 'upset' stage, if Andy wins, considering their recent tight battles

I think it would be an upset given Andy hasn't beaten a top 10 player in some time. Hard to say he should be 50-50 against a guy looking for his 4th straight Masters. That said, Andy has looked a lot more with it this week. I can see him pushing Novak at least for a set. 76 63 my prediction.

What a mental shot by Murray. Unbelievable.

What a point. Go Andy gooo

Some great play at key moments by Andy. Big hold there.

Welcome HM

Jahu wrote:Welcome HM

Nice to be here. Good game so far. Novak perhaps a little better overall but Andy producing the best moments.

Djoko twice at the net and both times loses it, at least hes getting there. Andy scared of the net.

This is a much better match than I expected. Very tight. Both playing well, moving well.

I'm pleasantly surprised!

This is finely poised. Both playing well.

OK, 4-4. We're into Novak's brain fart / choke territory...

I'd be surprised if they both maintained this level. Hope they do though. Terrific stuff.

Murray hasn't played this well since the last time they met, in that match...

Well both are choking.

Andy currently getting through his service games easier than Novak.

But also UE galore.

They've both been crap this game. But Novak the crapper. Chance.

Andys chance missed. Djoko crashes a little.

Well, we got the brain fart but Novak manages to dig himself out this time!

Djoko does it again. Silly net play.

Clearly on Andys court side he touched it.

Novak with another net-gate?

Can't he leave those things alone?   

Oh damn. Andy crashes from that net point theft.

Shame that. Andy unravelled after that dodgy call and loses first set 7-5. Still a lot to be happier about from a Murray view point - playing a lot better than in the last few weeks.

Ugh, any player losing a set 7-5 strikes me as being nothing more than weak minded. I know it's not always the case but it's one of my tennis pet hates. I'd rather Murray lost here anyway so he could get some extra clay practice for the DC. I hope it's on the BBC again.

The ball would of not even got over the net and Djoko goes and touches it?

Whyyyyyyyyy

Controversial!

Shame the set had to end in that way because it was a really good one.

Looks from the replay like the wrong call. Although it's somewhat moot because Andy was broken to love.

Danny_1982 wrote:Novak with another net-gate?

Can't he leave those things alone?   

My thoughts exactly! Even before the replay, I wondered what on earth he was doing.

Clearly the wrong decision, and clearly the reason Murray fell apart.

But he shouldn't be falling apart like that. Yes be angry, but use it positively.

Anyway...

Djoko gave a point away yesterday and steals one today.

Danny_1982 wrote:
But he shouldn't be falling apart like that. Yes be angry, but use it positively.

Looks to be channelling it well at the start of the 2nd.

Where was Novak's famed sportsmanship there? (No idea what happened as I'm not watching it)

Djoko could of raised his hand and admit the fault. Keep with his so called fair sport spirit.

Wow. Superb.

Anyway back to the match.

Good hold barely from Andy.

Andy breaks. His mind back to work.

Murray breaks. Some great play there. This is more like it.