Miami - Day 7 Djokovic gone in round of 16

It’s Day Seven in the Miami Open - the first WTA quarter finals and the ATP round of sixteen.

Miami Open presented by Itaú - an ATP Masters 1000 category tournament, on Hard Layklold, in Miami, Florida, USA, 20-31 March 2019.

Defending champion:

John Isner (14) who defeated Alexander Zverev (4) 6-7(4) 6-4 6-

ATP round of sixteen

• Borna Coric (11) v Nick Kyrgios (27)

The pair had met three times previously, twice in 2016 with results split.

Kyrgios won their August 2018 contest in the Cincinnati Masters, in three sets.

Coric served first, and an ace and backhand volley assisted him to 1-0.  Kyrgios opened with two aces to level at 1-1, and he was at the line again quickly following a love game from Coric, complete with forehand winner.

After comfortable holds of serve, it was surprising to see an exchange of breaks in games four and five.  In the process of breaking back, Kyrgios contributed a shot from heaven.  Coric had hit a terrific defensive backhand volley which no one should have been able to chase down, but Kyrgios did, and hit an impossible shot between his legs which turned into a forehand cross court winner. 

The Australian called for treatment on his knee, so that was concerning.  Nevertheless, things were back on track and 4-4 achieved without any further damage to either serve.

A double fault and errant forehand from Coric presented Kyrgios with two break points.  A rare backhand mistake and Kyrgios would serve for the set.  He began with a double fault, but an ace and an excellent volley enabled set points to arrive.  The second of these was used and the set was won 6-4.

For five games of set two, the pair were solid on serve, and Kyrgios was looking to level at 3-3, leading 40-15.  However Coric lifted, and with some great passing shots, put Kyrgios under pressure, the Australian dropping serve.  Coric proceeded to win the set 6-3.

From 2-2 in the decider, Coric dominated, although Kyrgios had three break back points to level at 3-3.  He failed to take advantage and failed to win another game.

Borna Coric won 4-6 6-3 6-2.

• John Isner (7) defeated Kyle Edmund (19) 7-6(5) 7-6(3)
• Qualifier Félix Auger-Aliassime defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili (17) 7-6(4) 6-4
• Roberto Bautista Agut (22) defeated Novak Djokovic (1) 1-6 7-5 6-3
• Kevin Anderson (6) defeated Jordan Thompson 7-5 7-5
• Frances Tiafoe (28) defeated David Goffin (18) 7-5 7-6(6)
• Denis Shapovalov (20) defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) 4-6 6-3 7-6(3)
• The Daniil Medvedev (13) v Roger Federer (4) match was postponed until Day Eight.