There have been plenty of surprising early exits in Miami, but a couple of all-seeded showdowns will be on Monday’s menu. Kei Nishikori is going up against Alexandr Dolgopolov and Jo-Wilfied Tsonga is facing Roberto Bautista Agut.
(6) Kei Nishikori vs. (27) Alexandr Dolgopolov
Nishikori and Dolgopolov will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in their careers when they battle for a place in the last 16 at the Miami Open on Monday. All three of their previous encounters have gone Nishikori’s way, and all three have ended in straight sets. They last squared off in 2015, when Japan’s top player won 6-4, 6-4 in Acapulco. That was preceded by a 6-4, 6-3 triumph at the 2011 Shanghai Masters and a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory at the 2013 Brisbane event.
Dolgopolov looked down and out against Andreas Seppi in his opening match on Saturday. Players were dropping left and right in the heat, and it looked like Dolgopolov would be the first casualty early in the day. Instead, the 29th-ranked Ukrainian somehow righted the ship and stormed back from two breaks down in the second to beat Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4. He is now a decent 10-5 for his 2016 campaign. Nishikori improved to 15-5 by holding off Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 7-6(4). This should be an even tougher test for the sixth seed, as Dolgopolov generally thrives in Miami. He made it to the quarterfinals in 2014 and to the fourth round last spring. An upset could be in the cards.
Pick: Dolgopolov in 3
[polldaddy poll=9364052]
(17) Roberto Bautista Agut vs. (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Tsonga and Bautista Agut are already familiar foes as they head into a third-round contest in Miami. All three of their previous encounters have come in the last eight months, starting with a 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-5 Tsonga victory last summer in Montreal. The Frenchman followed that up by blasting Bautista Agut 6-2, 6-2 on the indoor hard courts of Paris. The tide turned two months ago in Auckland, although Tsonga came within one point of improving to 3-0 lifetime in the head-to-head series. Instead, Bautista Agut fought off a match point and prevailed 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4 on his way to the title.
One of the best players so far in 2016, Bautista Agut owns a 17-5 record that features two titles and a fourth-round showing at the Australian Open. The 18th-ranked Spaniard got a retirement from Aljaz Bedene on Saturday while leading 7-5, 2-2. Tsonga rolled through his opener 6-3, 6-1 at the expense of Santiago Giraldo. The world No. 9 is looking to maintain momentum from a quarterfinal run in Indian Wells, where he bowed out to Novak Djokovic in two tiebreakers. If Tsonga plays like he did against Giraldo, he should eventually be able to hit Bautista Agut off the court.
Pick: Tsonga in 3
[polldaddy poll=9364050]
who ya got?
Sousa playing so solid!
Insane how well Sousa is hitting is inside-in forehand! the best retriever on hard courts unable to track them
But Sousa can’t keep that level up. I like Joao. It was exciting for a little while in the 1st set. Then Nole pulls away in the 2nd set with such ease. He isn’t even sweating like the rest. Well, maybe it’s not as hot and humid as yesterday. I haven’t been able to watch today, until now.
Kei in straights mostly because of H2H though Dolgopolov is very dangerous and has a chance here and I’m taking Tsonga in straights over RBA as I think his form these past few weeks has been better than Bautista Agut’s. RBA has cooled down a bit lately while Tsonga’s game is starting to heat up a bit after that impressive QF showing in IW where he pushed Novak and that dominant win over Giraldo. ALLEZ JO!!????
I think JO and RBA match is about the psychology aspects. I think Tsonga will win in 3 this time. RBA is always dangerous for JO.
Kei won but he was really suffering in the conditions. Dolgo was in better physical shape. Kei was lucky to finish the match in 2 sets.
Jo in 2. RBA isn’t showing the form he had after AO.
rc,
I agree about RBA. I think Tsonga will get the win in 2 sets.
Nny, RBA has a break in the 2nd set – and he’s serving for the set. He comes to life when we count him out!?
My girl Aga is having trouble too. But she’s already made it a round farther than I thought she would with a sore shoulder. Bacsinszky looks energetic and fresh!
Unlike Dolgo was about Kei, Bacsinszky is aware that Aga is weak — having trouble/low energy. Timea’s making Aga run. This is the end, Aga! Go get some rest before Katowice. Much rather see Bacsinszky win this.
The winner will play Simona Halep — who is in great form.
I saw Halep in her last match. She is definitely looking good right now.
Halep v Bacsinszky should be a good QF. Timea had the great Lara Gut in her player box. Happy to see the Swiss Alpine ski racing #1 cheering Bacs on! Huge celebrity in Europe, Lara Gut. Not sure anyone knows her in Miami.
Just a matter of time with Cahill as coach.
Rafa missed the boat.
Nothing good. Simona Halep is No.20 in the Race.
And last week Rafa was 21 in the Race. According to your own criteria, Uncle Toni is also “nothing good”.
Fascinating objective and consistent “analysis”.
(BTW, Halep has played a grand total of three tournaments this year going out early in her first two tournaments injured and making QFin IQ after a long layoff.)
No need to tell, the data can be found here:
http://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/13516/title/simona-halep
Simona spent time recently with Steffi and Andre in Vegas. It helped Angie Kerber. Appears to be working (maybe) in Simona’s case. We’ll see. Timea Bacsinszky is mentally tough.
There is a need to tell because you post crap out of context.
I guess you think Toni and Rafa are “nothing good” based on your objective criteria. Rafa should sue you. Just DO IT Rafa.
?
sorry.
Sorry rc, my response was to augusta’s link above (which doesn’t work), not your insightful post. I didn’t know she also worked with Steffi and Andre as well.
AT 7:37 PM,
Obvioulsy, YOUR device doesn’t work. Secondly, obviously YOU don’t know that there is the WTA website!
http://www.wtatennis.com/
AT 7:22 PM
—you post crap out of context—
===
.
You post IT in & out of context. LOL
Vamos Roberto Bautista Agut! ✌ ??
RBA is back, apparently. 3rd set TB owned by Agut. Tsonga couldn’t get across the finish line.
If RBA watched the Kei v Dolgo match, he should like his chances. Can see RBA making the QF.
Svetlana making Serena go the distance! Good match.
augusta08 MARCH 28, 2016 AT 7:14 PM
No need to tell, the data can be found here:
If you truly believed this, you would never have anything to post.
RBA gets the dub. I had him in three when I was making my full tourney picks at the start of the tournament but I changed my mind because I thought Tsonga had been in much better form heading into the event. Huge win for RBA!! VAMOS!!????