Nick Kyrgios will be looking for his first win since February when he takes the court in Miami against Marcos Baghdatis on Saturday. Kei Nishikori and Pierre Hugues-Herebert are also aiming for a place in the third round.
Marcos Baghdatis vs. (24) Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios and Baghdatis will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in round two of the Miami Open on Saturday. Baghdatis got off to a strong start at this event when he was featured during night-session action on Thursday and treated the crowd to a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Benjamin Becker. The 40th-ranked Cypriot skipped Indian Wells, but he may be picking up right where he left off on the heels of a runner-up performance in Dubai.
Although Kyrgios ended up playing in the desert, he probably shouldn’t have. Following an impressive February stretch during which he captured an ATP title for the first time in Marseille before advancing to the Dubai semis, the 20-year-old Australian controversially missed his country’s first-round Davis Cup tie against the United States. Hoping to have recovered from a back injury and an illness, Kyrgios fell right away in Indian Wells to Albert Ramos-Vinolas. He obviously heads into this tournament as a huge question mark due to his recent loss of both fitness and match practice. A confident Baghdatis should be able to capitalize.
Pick: Baghdatis in 3
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(6) Kei Nishikori vs. (Q) Pierre-Hugues Herbert
Herbert’s heavy workload will continue with a first-ever contest against Nishikori on Saturday. The 107th-ranked Frenchman lifted the Indian Wells doubles trophy along with Nicolas Mahut before beginning Miami qualifying two days later. He successfully punched his ticket to the main draw by rolling over Omar Jasika and Mischa Zverev in straight sets. Herbert has since scored one victory in singles (beat Lukas Rosol 7-5, 6-4 on Thursday) and one in doubles (beat Dominic Thiem and Oliver Marach 7-6(3), 6-4 with Mahut on Friday).
Nishikori is coming off a quarterfinal showing in Indian Wells, where he fell to Rafael Nadal. That was preceded by a Davis Cup tie between Japan and Great Britain, which saw the world No. 6 take care of Dan Evans before losing a dramatic five-setter against Andy Murray on the final day. Nishikori is 14-5 on the season, which includes a fourth consecutive title in Memphis. This should be a good matchup for the favorite, who will be given target practice by an opponent who likes moving into the net–and one that may be fatigued.
Pick: Nishikori in 2
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who ya got?
I was able to watch Baghdatis v Becker. Baghdatis looks super fit and playing like it’s 2006. Anyway, great performance and agree with Ricky. Baggy in 3. Not expecting too much from Nick.
Kei in 2.
Kyrgios in 3
Nishikori in 2
Kei in straights and Nick and three but not so sure about NK. Could see an upset there. Herbert can make things interesting too but I feel like his game doesn’t match up well against kei’s.
Baggy in 3 sets.
Nishi in 2 sets.
I think NK will be up for it. Going in 3 and Kei in two sets…
These are my two favorite ATP matches of the day.
Cheering for PHH over Kei. Probably just because I hope for a good match – PHH has a nice style of tennis.
Yeah I like P2H’s game and would’ve liked to see an upset. He made it pretty good match but overall kei got through pretty easy probably because Herbert’s game doesn’t match up well with the great defense and passing shots and groundies of kei.
NK in 2! 62 61
Didn’t expect Baghdatis to lose like that! Or…Nick to win so easily after watching him in IW.
So sorry about Rafa having to retire. Thought he looked good in practice.
I certainly didn’t see that kind of lopsided victory coming with NK over Baggy! I guess NK is feeling better!
NK is back.
Oh no I just saw Herbert had set point in the second up 5-3 serving. Crap.