Grigor Dimitrov and John Isner are set for an intriguing third-round clash in Miami on Monday. David Goffin and Jerzy Janowicz are also hoping to book a spot in the last 16.
(9) Grigor Dimitrov vs. (22) John Isner
Dimitrov and Isner will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they do battle in round three of the Miami Open on Monday. Isner, of course, has home-court advantage in the United States–where he always plays his best tennis. The 6’10” American has not be playing particularly well anywhere of late, but he is showing at least some encouraging signs of a turnaround. Isner advanced to the fourth round in Indian Wells and tested Novak Djokovic in a high-quality match before cruising through his Miami opener 6-3, 6-4 on Saturday.
The story is somewhat of a similar one for Dimitrov, who is a modest 9-5 on the season. Following a solid Australian summer in Brisbane and Melbourne, the 11th-ranked Bulgarian lost his second match at each of his next three tournaments. But he did little wrong in crushing Vasek Pospisil 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday. Don’t be surprised if the second-match trend continues for Dimitrov, mainly because Isner is finally playing with confidence again.
Pick: Isner in 3
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(18) David Goffin vs. Jerzy Janowicz
Goffin and Janowicz will be squaring off for the third time in their careers and for the third time in less than a year when they meet again on Monday. Janowicz was responsible for ending Goffin’s 25-match winning streak when he stopped the Belgian 6-4, 6-2 in last summer’s Winston-Salem quarterfinals. Goffin had no trouble avenging that defeat by trouncing Janowicz by the same scoreline last month in Marseille.
It has already been a productive Miami for both competitors. Janowicz, in a slump since reaching the Montpellier final, rolled over Edouard Roger-Vasselin before upsetting Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the second round. A back injury kept Goffin out of Indian Wells, but he returned to dispose of an in-form Borna Coric 6-0, 6-4 on Saturday. The world No. 20 should like this matchup, especially on a court that is not too fast. Unless Janowicz serves incredibly well, Goffin’s defense and consistent ball-striking will likely break the big guy down.
Pick: Goffin in 2
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