Only in a few sections of the Miami draw have the top seeds taken care of business, but that is the case in Novak Djokovic’s quarter. Djokovic is facing Dominic Thiem during fourth-round action on Tuesday, while Tomas Berdych battles Richard Gasquet.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (14) Dominic Thiem
Based on the mass exodus of marquee names out of the Miami Open and the current state of the draw, Djokovic vs. Thiem would arguably be worthy of the title match. Instead, two of the hottest players in the sport will have to go head-to-head in the last 16 on Tuesday. That Djokovic leads the ATP Tour in match victories this season is no surprise; but the fact that Thiem is right there tied with the world No. 1 is a borderline shock. Djokovic is a dominant 24-1, while the 22-year-old Austrian comes in with a 24-5 record.
A grueling February saw Thiem capture titles in Buenos Aires and Acapulco in addition to a semifinal performance in Rio de Janeiro. The world No. 14, who proceeded to win three Davis Cup rubbers (one in doubles), finally ran out of gas against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Indian Wells fourth round. He is back in business this fortnight with routine defeats of Sam Groth and Yoshihito Nishioka. Djokovic has cruised into the fourth round by beating Kyle Edmund and Joao Sousa. The top-seeded Serb is looking to lift a third consecutive winner’s trophy in Miami. As well as Thiem is playing, this is a kind of test that he has not yet seen in his career–and it’s one that may be too tough.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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(10) Richard Gasquet vs. (7) Tomas Berdych
Berdych and Gasquet will be squaring off for the 14th time in their careers on Tuesday. Gasquet is leading the head-to-head series 7-6, including 5-4 on outdoor hard courts. The two veterans most recently collided in round four of last summer’s U.S. Open, with the Frenchman getting the job done 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. They also met in the quarterfinals of this same event in 2013, when Gasquet prevailed 6-3, 6-3.
Current form favors Gasquet, who is 10-2 with a title in Montpellier since missing all of January because of a back problem. The world No. 10 has advanced in Miami with straight-set victories over Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Benoit Paire. Berdych won seven matches in his first two tournaments of the year but has not won more than two at any event since. The seventh-ranked Czech needed only one victory to reach this stage in Miami, as he got a walkover from Rajeev Ram before holding off Steve Johnson 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3. Unless Berdych manages to dictate play to an extent that he avoids a large number of back-to-backhand rallies, Gasquet’s momentum should continue.
Pick: Gasquet in 3
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who ya got?
Like the Gasquet pick…but it would be better if Berdych wins
Gasquet or Berdych. Berdych has only won 2 times in 22 tries – many have been close…but, guessing that has to affect Tomas. Gasquet is a slightly more interesting prospect, imo.
Who is left?
Nishikori — I hardly believe Kei would have much chance right now.
Dimitrov – he has the physical talent, as does Monfils, but the mental part is not great for either. Raonic has a sharp mind and if he’s close to AO form, he could be getting close.
Gilles Simon, yes, even their 2 and 3 setters mostly tight. No bagels or bread sticks – except at Davis Cup in Serbia.
Kyrgios – yes, bring it on.
Anyway, Nole has to get through Thiem first – which is an interesting match because they have only met once in the fall of 2014. Thiem is a completely different player now. At least we have that.
Agree with Ricky’s picks:
Gasquet in 3. Nole in 2.
Novak won’t have much trouble with Thiem.
I think Ricky is right about Gasquet being in better form now. I would think Berdy is the better one to win this, but I think Gasquet will get the win.
I’ll take Berdych. In two or three like Strummer would say.
LOL! Nice pick! 🙂
Hawkie, Berdych = 2 times in 22 tries! Once at Wimbledon in 2010…and I forget the other…think it was on clay.
Best of who is left now v Nole:
1) Milosh
2) Simon
2) Thiem
3) Kyrgios
4) Gasquet
5) Goffin
6) Zeballos
7) Berdych
the Rest…
I would put dimitrov Nishikori and monfils ahead of zeballos that’s for sure and I would put zeballos behind Berdych. I would put him in one of the last actually.
Yep, I should have put them, Kei, Monfils, and Dimitrov ahead of Zeballos, too. That wasn’t my best post – Sorry!
Zeballos got in there because I saw his name next to Goffin on the schedule. You never completely know, though ☺ it’s unlikely.
Also I would say Kyrgios Simon Thiem as my top three in that order. And Goffin and Raonic behind them.
I assume that’s vs Nole not gasket though for sure no?
? yes. v Nole.
But I was laughing too hard to get it right…sorry.
Had just heard that Dzumhur beat Kukushkin – I don’t think Nole has played him…there must be someone!?
Andy, Stan, Rafa, Roger….all gone. There isn’t much left in the ATP. WTA is looking quite good. I want more of Mugu v Vika!
rc,
I am so glad you spoke up about Mugu and Vika! I meant to come on here earlier and talk about that match! I think that first set was some of the best tennis I have seen in a women’s match! I really enjoyed watching those two go at it! Vika is really rounding into good form now and Mugu is quite the competitor.
It made me think about what was said about women’s tennis. That guy should have watched this match! I think the women’s game is getting more interesting these days.
I am still shocked that Andy, Stan, Rafa, Ferrer and Isner are all gone. It’s insane!
I still say this is Novak’s for the taking! I know that it’s not always a great idea to get ahead of ourselves, but without the top guys there it seems like a done deal.
I am trying to remember the last time we lost all the top players in a Masters tournament.
Thanks, Nny. Vika v Mugu lived up to their potential in that match and then some! I wasn’t sure about Muguruza being able to put out that much effort after an inconsistent start to the year. No doubt she’s got #1 potential! Looking forward to a lot more of their rivalry this year – if we’re lucky.
As for WTA – everyone should watch more of course, imo.
It does look like a walk in the park for Nole without his strongest competition. But it never is a walk in the park winning a master’s 1000. It’s tough. Anything can happen. I just have little belief in Berdych or Gasquet making a big difference. Perhaps – a surprise…
rc,
I know that it’s not always a great idea to take anything for granted when it comes to winning a Masters tournament. But I just think that Novak is so focused now and ready to seize every opportunity.
It’s a great chance for a dark horse to get to the final here.
I enjoyed Vikaand Mugu very much. That is what women’s tennis is about! Mugu has a lot of potential. I hope she can keep it up.
It’s wonderful to see Vika playing so well again.
Nobody can stop Nole this year. NOBODY!!!!!
This year, he will become the GOAT!
(in my opinion)
I missed all the tennis over the Easter holiday – was in Paris celebrating my son-in-law’s 50th birthday. Have just been catching up on the results. Truly carnage as Ricky called it. I was asking myself the same question. I’m pretty certain there has never been a tournament where the draw has been decimated in this way.
I’ll go with Berdych in three and Djoker in three.
Court Stadium- Game3
3/24 Watson def. (20) Stephens
3/25 (LL) Zeballos def. Del Potro
3/26 Dzumhur def. (5) Nadal
3/27 (22) Keys def. (9) Vinci
3/28 (28) Demitrov def. (2) Murray
3/29 (14) Thiem def. (1) Djolovic ??????
Djokovic also lost to (15) Tommy Haas in fourth round three years ago.
I predit Thiem will win this game 🙂
wowzer
Definitely go with Nole in 2… Gasquet match should be a good battle but I think the Frenchman will come out on top.
It’s Djokovics title to lose though. He 99.9% of the time wins the titles and players he should beat. Reason why he is the man to beat.
About the women’s matches. Thoroughly enjoyed the Vika match. Getting somewhere close to her best again. Keeps improving. Massive Vika fan
The in-form Thiem is quite capable of taking one set from Djokovic.
Our pick: Djokovic in 3.
I do not see Thiem beating Novak at all. The other top players may have crashed out for different reasons, but Novak just keeps rolling along. I expect him to be very motivated to capitalize on this opportunity.
I just can’t see Thiem taking a set off Novak.
Was a time when Djokovic would have been the first to wilt in the heat. How come he appears be immune to the punishing conditions causing other players to keel over in Miami this year – he seems to have some kind of internal cooling system!!
It’s the gluten I tells ya!
Or the world’s most expensive cheese has potent qualities
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9733879/Novak-Djokovic-buys-up-annual-supply-of-donkey-cheese.html
right you are….just hoping for a miracle ! it is sickening that there is nobody to challenge him. Roger not playing, rafa out, Muzz playing crap , stan playing like the stan of 2007
It’s 2005-2006 all over again.
Blake! Come back!!!!!!!!
Bl-aaaaaaaaaaaaa-ke!!!!!!!
Nole in 2.
#NID
3 max.
🙂
Thiem, Berdych, Simon are the next three opponents for Djokovic…
Goffin
Congrats to Me and TG Benny (not My BFF Benito) for being the only ones to pick T-Bird over Gasket Case.
Vamosh!!!!
Congrats Hawk and Benny! lol…
Thanks rc. Sure not easy getting some props around here unless you do it yourself.
Congrats to you on some fine WTA pics!!
#BigELEVENwattos
Thanks!
For 2 days my WTA picks were good.
Simona needs another visit to Steffi and Andre. Maybe she can get a room there.
Maybe she has Genie Bouchard Syndrome (whatever that is).
Yes! Give out TG Benny a shout out!
So you guys got it right with Berdy!
Wake me up when tennis gets out of this impasse, ie, when Rafa gets back to normal. Right now, it’s a snooze fest.
what do you mean get back to ‘normal’? what is normal here?
Milosh just laid a bagel on Dzumhur and is now up a break in the second.
Vamosh Milosh!!!
Be calm, try your best and show your fighting spirit Milosh.
can’t believe the returns novak kept hitting in that gane. Insane
Bamosh!
Another game for Milosh!!!
Dzumhur isn’t very good lets be honest.
Thiem’s to be no match for Nole.
nice call!
Thiem Breaks back he has had so many Bps in this match.
converted 1 of 15 and that was via a Djoker DF