An enticing second-round matchup on Saturday in Miami pits Andy Murray against Bernard Tomic. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and John Isner are also kicking off their campaigns.
(2) Andy Murray vs. Bernard Tomic
Murray and Tomic will be going head-to-head for the second time in their careers when they clash in round two of the Sony Open on Saturday. Murray won their only previous encounter 6-3, 6-2 last year in Brisbane.
The third-ranked Scot opened his season by triumphing in Brisbane and finishing runner-up to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open. Murray took an extended break before reaching the Indian Wells quarterfinals, where he lost to Juan Martin Del Potro in three sets. Tomic, the Sydney champion from two months ago, improved to 11-5 for the season by holding off qualifier Marc Gicquel 7-5, 7-6(3) on Thursday. The 20-year-old Australian is looking to better his Indian Wells result, which as a second-round loss to Richard Gasquet.
This is not an easy draw for Murray, but he feels right at home in Miami and is a former champion of this event (2009). Furthermore, he has a big opportunity for another title with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal not participating. An inspired Murray should be energized to give Tomic a lesson in this one.
Pick: Murray in 2
(6) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs. Viktor Troicki
Tsonga and Troicki will be meeting for the sixth time in their careers when they do battle in round two on Saturday. Troicki leads the head-to-head series 3-2, including a perfect 3-0 on hard courts. Both of Tsonga’s victories came on the clay courts of Rome, where he prevailed in 2010 and 2012.
Tsonga is a considerable favorite to turn the tide in this one, especially based on current form. The eighth-ranked Frenchman owns a title this season in Marseille to go along with quarterfinal finishes at the Australian Open and Indian Wells Masters. Troicki is a disappointing 4-6 for the year, but he at least managed to get past Pablo Andujar in his Miami opener. All signs point to Tsonga cruising through his Miami opener.
Pick: Tsonga in 2
(20) John Isner vs. Ivan Dodig
Isner will be hoping to emerge from a massive slump when he goes up against Dodig for the first time on Friday. The 6’9” American is an even 6-6 for the season and he is coming off an immediate exit at the hands of Lleyton Hewitt in Indian Wells, whee he finished runner-up last year.
Dodig overcame Lukas Lacko 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 in his opener on Thursday. The Croat, who is a respectable 9-8 for his 2013 campaign, is looking to win two matches at each of his last three events (also in Delray Beach and Indian Wells). Relatively slow courts in Miami and a lack of confidence on his opponent’s part should help Dodig pull off what would be only a slight upset.
Pick: Dodig in 3
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