Monday, 28 March 2016

Vika and Garbine set up a thriller

Easter Sunday at Miami and Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem brushed aside their opposition to set up a tantalising fourth round match.  The records of both players in 2016 is particularly good.  Of course Novak has been far and away the world's best with a Grand Slam and Masters Title to add to his Doha win.  The 24/1 win loss record was only interrupted by a retirement due to eye infection against Feliciano Lopez.

Thiem has a 24/5 record with 2 titles included amongst the plethora of match wins.  His march up the rankings knows no bounds and should see the Austrian fighting amongst the top players for a spot in the year end ATP Finals.

Other successes in third round encounters were Richard Gasquet against fellow French player Benoit Paire, Tomas Berdych over Steve Johnson and David Goffin dismissing Victor Troiki.

Another French triumph was 18th seed Gilles Simon surprising 11th seed Marin Cilic in three solid sets, while lucky loser Horacio Zeballos has turned his luck to winning, this time knocking out Fernando Verdasco.

The biggest shock was 8th seed David Ferrer losing to yet another French player, 88th ranked Lucas Pouille in a match lasting over two and three quarter hours.  Ferrer had made a final and three quarter finals in his past five Miami attempts but this year wasn't to be.

Coco Vandeweghe's hopes of continuing through a strong tournament, following her great victory over Suarez Navarro, were dashed, as 32nd seed Monica Niculescu provided the American with a two set lesson.

Vika Azarenka's outstanding form hasn't relented and she released a mere three games in reaching round of sixteen.  Garbine Muguruza, whose form has been hard to fathom, found her range at the expense of Nicole Gibbs, thrashing her 6-1 6-0.

If it wasn't for Madison Keys upsetting 9th seed Roberta Vinci, all Americans on singles duty would have exited Miami.  Coming into this big event on the back of only five matches compare with Vinci's twenty, with already a title win, Madison would be elated with the straight sets victory.

Matches to watch out for tomorrow include Azarenka v Muguruza and Murray v Dimitrov.

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