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Nadal/Verdasco Make Winning Start

Nadal/Verdasco Make Winning Start

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2016

Nadal/Verdasco Make Winning Start

Spaniards down Bolelli/Seppi in Miami

Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco defeated Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second round of the Miami Open presented by Itau on Thursday. The Spanish left-handers were only broken once and secured the win in 69 minutes.

Nadal/Verdasco earned their first doubles win in 2016 as a team. They fell in the first round in Doha (l. to Gabashvili/Ramos-Vinolas) and in Indian Wells (l. to Bryan/Bryan).

No. 8 seeds Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock, finalists in Indian Wells last week, were eliminated by John Isner and Nicholas Monroe 7-6(3), 6-3. Isner/Monroe, teaming up for the first time since Paris 2013, saved 11 of 12 break points to secure victory in 70 minutes.

Also upset were No. 6 seeds Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea. The 2015 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals runners-up (l. to Tecau/Rojer) were felled by Pablo Cuevas and Marcel Granollers 2-6, 6-4, 10-4 in 68 minutes. Bopanna/Mergea lost despite winning two more points than their opponents (60-58).

Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez maintained their excellent early-season form, advancing to the second round thanks to a 3-6, 6-3, 10-6 win against Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey. The Indian Wells semi-finalists (l. to Pospisil/Sock) won 76 per cent of second serve points and were only broken once in the 69-minute encounter.

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Improved Return Game Fueling Thiem's Top-10 Quest

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2016

Improved Return Game Fueling Thiem's Top-10 Quest

Infosys ATP Beyond The Numbers explores Dominic Thiem’s continued rise in 2016

Dominic Thiem is on a collision course with a highly coveted Emirates ATP Top 10 ranking.

The 22-year-old Austrian is the youngest player in the Top 25 and is currently ranked 14, courtesy of a scorching 22-5 record to start 2016. He posted a career high ranking of 13 last week.

Thiem has won ATP World Tour titles in Acapulco and Buenos Aires already this year and sits only 285 ranking points behind Richard Gasquet, who is No. 10 in the Emirates ATP Rankings this week.He is fourth in the Emirates ATP Race to London, and while the season is still young, it clearly reflects the hot streak he is currently on.

An Infosys ATP Beyond the Numbers analysis of Thiem’s progress this year indicates that a stronger return game and improved efficiency on break points are driving him higher up the rankings.

Returning

2015

2016

% change

1st Serve Return Pts. Won

28%

31%

+3%

2nd Serve Return Pts. Won

49%

50%

+1%

Break Points Converted

33%

39%

+6%

Return Games Won

20%

25%

+5%

Return Points Won

36%

39%

+3%

Thiem is winning a commendable three per cent more points returning opponents’ first serves from 2015 to 2016, but is enjoying a substantial 16 per cent improvement in converting break points against first serves. He has won 37 per cent (58/161) of break points against opponents’ first serves in 2015, but in the first two months of 2016, that has elevated to a remarkable 52 per cent (62/70). That’s substantially better than the top three ranked players in the world during the same two-month period. World No. 1, Novak Djokovic, was only at 33 per cent (27/82). Andy Murray clocked in at 35 per cent (21/60), while Roger Federer was at 42 per cent (21/51).

Thiem’s mental toughness is evidenced by his ability to break serve right after the disappointment of being broken himself. His numbers in this specific category were better than those of all five players in the bottom half of the Top 10, and equal with those of Andy Murray and Roger Federer at 22 per cent.

Ranking

Player

Break Straight Back % (Jan-Feb 2016)

1

Djokovic

38%

2

Murray

22%

3

Federer

22%

4

Wawrinka

32%

5

Nadal

34%

6

Nishikori

14%

7

Berdych

18%

8

Ferrer

9%

9

Tsonga

14%

10

Gasquet

9%

14

THIEM

22%

This week in Miami, Thiem is defending a quarter-final showing (180 Emirates ranking points) from last year, so he will need to make the semi-finals or better to have a chance to leap into the revered Top 10 in the world.

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Istomin Downs Coric To End Drought

Istomin Downs Coric To End Drought

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2016

Istomin Downs Coric To End Drought

Uzbek earns first tour-level win of 2016

Denis Istomin fought past Next Generation player Borna Coric on Thursday to set up a clash against second seed and two-time former champion Andy Murray at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Istomin led 3-0 in both the second and third sets, and hung on to get the better of a persistent Coric 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in two hours and 46 minutes. Istomin, who recorded his first ATP World Tour win since last October (d. Bedene in Moscow), improved to 1-7 on the year.

Andreas Seppi got the better of Donald Young for the second time this month, having also beaten the American at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Seppi won 80 per cent of his first-serve points to roll through Young 6-3, 6-1 in 63 minutes and set a second-round match against No. 27 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Veteran Tim Smyczek overcame countryman Tommy Paul 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. Smyczek saved nine of 13 break points against the 18-year-old qualifier and secured the win in two hours and 19 minutes. He will face another American, No. 13 seed John Isner, in the second round.

Elsewhere, Aljaz Bedene will take on No. 17 seed Roberto Bautista Agut, a winner of two ATP World Tour titles this year, in the second round after he defeated wild card Roberto Carballes Baena 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two hours.

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Federer Opens Up About Knee Surgery

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2016

Federer Opens Up About Knee Surgery

Roger Federer reveals details ahead of his comeback match against Juan Martin del Potro

Roger Federer has given the first detailed account of his recent knee injury, surgery and rehab ahead of his opening-round match at the Miami Open. Federer revealed Thursday that the arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus was performed on his left knee. He also outlined how the freak injury happened just one day after his semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic at January’s Australian Open.

Federer is set to play his first tournament since the Open Friday in Miami, when he takes on former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, who himself is on the comeback trail from wrist surgery.

Federer said that the innocuous accident happened as he was running a bath for his twin daughters. As he turned from his right to his left and shifted his weight to his left foot, Federer felt something ‘click’ in his left knee. He continued with a planned family trip to the zoo even though his leg was swollen. Upon returning home to Switzerland he immediately had an MRI, which led to the February 3 surgery.

“I remember I turned, I felt my knee was funny, I turned back. That’s when I heard a click,” Federer said. “I did feel that something was strange in my knee. Very simple movement, probably a movement I’ve done a million times in my life for sure.

“When I got the news that I had to have the operation I saw the pictures and talked to my doctor and knew that it was the only way out of this one. In the hospital, when I was about to go into the operating room, that’s when I got nervous and sad about it all.  When I woke up and looked at my knee it was like ‘This doesn’t feel like my leg. I can’t believe I did the operation and I hope it will come back from here.’ That’s when I got scared.

“Then literally one day, two days later I had no more pain. I realised I could already move my leg again. You learn how to walk on crutches and all that, which I’d done once before in 2005 when I tore the ligaments in my foot…. . It’s baby steps. Still at the same time you go from crutches to walking to running to jumping to sprinting. It’s pretty incredible to see the progress I’ve been able to make in a short period of time.”

Federer was on crutches for 12 days and only resumed full training nine days ago. Despite missing key events in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells, Federer said that he savoured the extra time at home.

“It sounds weird, but I kind of enjoyed the process of improving every day. I had a positive mindset. We worked two to three times a day. We were in Switzerland for five straight weeks, which is rare for us to be in one place, especially our home for so long. Enjoyed everything about it… nothing to do other than rehabbing and spending time with the family. It was a really nice process. Never had any setbacks. That was very crucial that I’m here today.”

Federer will take a 15-5 FedEx ATP Head2Head record into his match with del Potro in their first meeting since 2013. Federer won the first six meetings in their rivalry before the Argentine claimed his career-changing US Open final win over the Swiss in 2009.

“I’m excited,” Federer said. “Anxious to find out how it’s going to react, is it going to be different day-to-day, how is it going to feel after the match and so forth… I like Juan Martin. We’ve had good matches over the years, Paris, five sets twice, US Open obviously. It’s nice to see him back. I haven’t seen him play at all since he’s been back, so I’m not quite sure what to expect, even though my coach went to see his match yesterday. At the end I’m going to focus on my own game tomorrow… managing my problems that I’ve had the last few months. Just also enjoy it out there. We’re both in a similar situation. His injury was much, much greater. That’s why I’m really pleased for him that he was able to find a way back onto the tour.”

Federer and del Potro are scheduled during the day session Friday, third match on centre court.

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I hurt knee running a bath – Federer

  • Posted: Mar 25, 2016

Roger Federer says the knee injury he suffered after the Australian Open in January occurred while preparing a bath for his twin daughters.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion, 34, needed arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus and is set to make his return at the Miami Open this week.

“I think I was going to run a bath for the girls,” he said.

“I made a very simple movement, turned back, heard a click in my knee. I went to the zoo. My leg was swollen.”

Federer said he was happy with how surgery went but “very sad” he had needed an operation.

“I thought I was going to get through my career without any,” said the Swiss. “It was a big shock and, yeah, disappointing.”

Federer is scheduled to face Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro in round two in Miami.

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Djokovic Helps Fan With A Very Special 'Promposal'

  • Posted: Mar 24, 2016

Djokovic Helps Fan With A Very Special 'Promposal'

Serb makes young fan’s day

Trying to think of the best way to impress a girl and ask her to the prom with you? Why not enlist the help of her favourite tennis player, Novak Djokovic?

One young fan did just that at the Miami Open on Wednesday. As the Serb finished practice, the fan hung over the railings with a sign asking the World No. 1 for help with his ‘promposal’.

Djokovic promptly pulled the fan from the crown and played his role in what turned out to be a very memorable ‘promposal’. Did she say yes?

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Bedene battles back to advance in Miami

  • Posted: Mar 24, 2016

Britain’s Aljaz Bedene battled back from a set down to reach the second round of the Miami Open.

Bedene, 26, who failed in his bid to be eligible to represent GB in the Davis Cup, beat Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 4-6 6-2 6-3.

His reward is a meeting against another Spaniard, 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.

Fellow Briton Heather Watson is due in action later against American Sloane Stephens.

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Coric, Nadal/Verdasco In Miami Thursday Play

  • Posted: Mar 24, 2016

Coric, Nadal/Verdasco In Miami Thursday Play

First-round play in Miami wraps up on Thursday

DAY 2 PREVIEW: The remaining 16 singles matches in the bottom half of the Miami Open presented by Itay draw are on Thursday’s schedule, with three Next Generation teenagers leading the way. There are also six 1R doubles matches, including Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco on Grandstand.

Watch Live Matches On TennisTV.com

In the opening match on Stadium, Andreas Seppi brings a 3-1 career head-to-head record against Donald Young. This is the second straight tournament they are meeting in. At ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, Seppi rallied to win 46 64 63 in the 1R.

In the second match on, 19-year-old Borna Coric of Croatia looks for his second win in as many meetings against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. Coric won the previous meeting in straight sets in Marseille in February 2015. Coric is looking for his 10th win of the season while Istomin is trying to break an 0-7 record in 2016.

In the evening session, Marcos Baghdatis takes a 2-0 head-to-head record against German qualifier Benjamin Becker, who is making his 10th tournament appearance (8-9 record). Baghdatis is off to a 7-4 start and last month he advanced to his 13th career final in Dubai (l. to Wawrinka).

On Grandstand, Swedish teenage wild card Elias Ymer makes his ATP Masters 1000 debut against Argentine left-hander Federico Delbonis, who defeated No. 2 Andy Murray in his last tournament at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells. On Court 1, South Korean teenager Hyeon Chung meets Denis Kudla for the first time on the ATP World Tour after two previous wins in South Korean Challengers last season.

DAY 2 FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

STADIUM

Andreas Seppi (ITA) vs Donald Young (USA) Seppi Leads 3-1
11 Eastbourne (Great Britain) Grass R16 Andreas Seppi 7-6(1) 6-3
12 London Olympics (Great Britain) Grass R64 Andreas Seppi 6-4 6-4
14 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R64 Donald Young 6-4 2-6 6-3 4-6 7-5
16 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells Hard R128 Andreas Seppi 4-6 6-4 6-3

Seppi 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Sofia (l Klizan)
YTD W-L: 6-7 (5-7 on hard, 1-0 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 3
Date of Birth: February 21, 1984
Emirates ATP Ranking: 43
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 6-10 (4R – 2013)

• The 32-year-old Italian is making his 11th Miami appearance (6-10 record) and in his last visit two years ago reached 3R (bye, d. Stepanek, l. to No. 4 Ferrer). His best result is 4R in 2013 (l. to No. 3 Murray)
• Made 43rd consecutive appearance in a Grand Slam main draw at Australian Open where he advanced to 3R for 3rd time in career (l. to eventual champion Djokovic)
• Helped Italy to 5-0 sweep of Switzerland in Davis Cup 1R (d. Laaksonen, w/Bolelli d. Chiudinelli/Laaksonen)
• Captured 1st ATP World Tour doubles title in 7th final at Dubai w/Bolelli (d. Lopez/Lopez after saving 2 MPs)
• Also defeated Lopez/Lopez to reach Australian Open doubles 3R w/Cecchinato (l. to Rojer/Tecau)

Young 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Memphis (l Berankis)
YTD W-L: 4-6 (4-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: July 23, 1989
Emirates ATP Ranking: 80
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 2-6 (2R – 2014-15)

• The 26-year-old American enters with a 2-6 career record in Miami and his best result is 2R in 2014 (d. Berlocq, l. to No. 10 Isner) and last year (d. Lu, l. to No. 4 Murray)
• Won 1st match in 4 of 5 events to start 2016 season: Auckland, Memphis, Delray Beach and Acapulco
• Fell in 4 sets to Giraldo in Australian Open 1R and to Seppi in 3 sets in 1R at Indian Wells
• Won Australian Open doubles 1R match w/Krajicek over Pavic/Venus, who have captured 3 titles in ‘16

Borna Coric (CRO) vs Denis Istomin (UZB) Coric Leads 1-0
15 Marseille (France) Hard R32 Borna Coric 6-4 7-5

Coric 2016 FastFacts:
F: Chennai (l Wawrinka)
YTD W-L: 9-8 (8-7 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: November 14, 1996
Emirates ATP Ranking: 47
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-1 (2R – 2015)

• The 19-year-old Croat is making his second straight appearance in Miami. One of three Croats (Cilic, Dodig) in main draw. Last year reached 2R (d. Haider-Maurer, l. to No. 20 Goffin)
• Began season by reaching 1st ATP World Tour final at Chennai (d. Bautista Agut 76 in 3rd, l. to No. 4 Wawrinka). Became 1st teen to play in an ATP final since countryman Cilic at 2008 New Haven (d. Fish)
• Spent 9 hours, 29 minutes on court en route to final, nearly 3 times Wawrinka’s 3 hours, 16 minutes
• After falling to Goffin in 5 sets,clinched Croatia’s 3-2 win over Belgium in Davis Cup 1R (d. Coppejans). Croatia will play the U.S. on the road in July in QFs
• Suffered 4-match losing streak after Chennai SF win over Bedene

Istomin 2016 FastFacts:

YTD W-L: 0-7 (0-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: September 7, 1986
Emirates ATP Ranking: 76
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 3-6 (3R- 2014)

• No. 1 player from Uzbekistan is making his 7th straight Miami appearance (3-6 record). His best result is 3R in 2014 when he beat Mahut and Tursunov (l. to No. 1 Nadal)
• Looking for 1st win of season (0-7) after 1R losses at Brisbane, Sydney, Australian Open, Montpellier, Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells Won only 3 sets, falling in 3 sets to Seppi at Sydney, 4 sets to Tomic at Australian Open and 3 sets to Kudla in Indian Wells
• Also 0-3 in doubles this season with 1R losses at Sydney, Australian Open and Montpellier

Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) vs [Q] Benjamin Becker (GER) Baghdatis Leads 2-0
12 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R128 Marcos Baghdatis 6-1 7-6(5) 6-2
13 Basel (Switzerland) Hard R32 Marcos Baghdatis 7-6(8) 6-1

Other meeting:
14 Nottingham CH (Great Britain) Grass R32 Marcos Baghdatis 6-4 6-4

Baghdatis 2016 FastFacts:
F: Dubai (l Wawrinka); QF: Montpellier (l Gasquet)
YTD W-L: 7-4 (7-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: June 17, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 40
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 6-8 (3R – 2006, 2010, 2014)

• The 30-year-old Cypriot is making his 9th tournament appearance (6-8 record) and his best results is 3R in 2006 (l. to No. 5 Davydenko, 2010 (l. to No. 9 Cilic) and 2014 (l. to No. 11 Tsonga)
• Last month defeated Troicki, Bautista Agut and Lopez en route to Dubai final (l. to No. 4 Wawrinka)
• Fell to 4-9 in ATP World Tour singles finals with 5 straight losses
• Extended Davis Cup singles win streak to 36 matches with 4 victories March 2-5, passing Borg for all-time record
• Reached Montpellier QF with straight-set wins over Lacko and Daniel (l. to No. 10 Gasquet)
• Fell in Australian Open 1R (l. to No. 10 Tsonga) and Rotterdam 2R (d. Goffin 76 in 3rd, l. to Klizan)

Becker 2016 FastFacts:
QF(2): Memphis (l Fritz); Delray Beach (l Ram)
YTD W-L: 4-5 (4-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: June 16, 1981
Emirates ATP Ranking: 100
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 8-9 (4R – 2010, ‘14)

• The 34-year-old German qualified into main draw and making his 10th tournament appearance (8-9 record). His best result is 4R in 2010 (l. to No. 8 Roddick) and ’14 as a lucky loser (l. to No. 12 Raonic)
• Last month advanced to back-to-back QFs at Memphis (l. to Fritz) and Delray Beach (l. to Ram)
• In Delray Beach 2R, rallied from 75 40 down to defeat fellow former NCAA champion Johnson
• Qualified at Doha (l. to L. Mayer in 1R) and Auckland (l. to Kohlschreiber in 1R)
• Reached Puebla, MEX Challenger SF (d. Cachin, Stanek and Souza; l. to Krstin 76 in 3rd)

GRANDSTAND

[Q] Tommy Paul (USA) vs [Q] Tim Smyczek (USA) First ATP Meeting

Other meetings:
15 Knoxville CH (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Tim Smyczek 6-4 6-4
16 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells Q Hard Q2 Tim Smyczek 3-6 6-3 7-5

Paul 2016 FastFacts:

YTD W-L: 0-2 (0-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 17, 1997
Emirates ATP Ranking: 215 (Career-high)
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): Main Draw Debut

• The 18-year-old New Jersey native qualified into main draw for 1st time and 1 of 5 Americans to qualify
• Comes in a career-high No. 215 and is expected to break Top 200 after Miami (16 Q pts. + 10 1R)
• Began season in January with back-to-back Futures titles in Florida on clay (d. Puget in both)
• Received wild card into Memphis (l. to Becker in 1R) and qualified in Acapulco (l. to Marchenko in 1R)
• Lost in final round of qualifying at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to Smyczek)
• Last year’s Roland Garros junior champion (d. Fritz) is looking for his first career ATP World Tour level main draw win (0-3)

Smyczek 2016 FastFacts:

QF: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 3-4 (3-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: December 30, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 132
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-2 (2R – 2015)

• The 28-year-old Wisconsin native is making his 3rd tournament appearance (1-2 record) and his best result is 2R last year (d. Menendez-Maceira, l. to No. 13 Tsonga in 3 sets). Made debut in 2013 as a qualifier and lost to Tursunov in 1R
• Last month, advanced to 2nd ATP World Tour QF of career at Delray Beach as WC (d. Fritz and Young, l. to eventual champion Querrey)
• Qualified at Australian Open for 2nd straight year and reached 2R (d. Gimeno-Traver, l. to Troicki)
• Reached Dallas, USA Challenger SF (d. Krueger, Harrison and Matosevic; l. to Edmund)

Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA) vs Santiago Giraldo (COL) First Meeting

Mathieu 2016 FastFacts:
F: Montpellier (l Gasquet)
YTD W-L: 5-4 (5-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: January 12, 1982
Emirates ATP Ranking: 62
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 7-8 (4R – 2007-08)

• The 34-year-old Frenchman is making his 9th main draw appearance in Miami (7-8 record) and his best result is 4R in 2007 (d. No. 5 Gonzalez, l. to No. 12 Murray) and ’08 (l. to No. 2 Nadal). Also 3R in ’09 (l. to No. 3 Djokovic)
• In February, fell short of 1st ATP World Tour title since 2007 with loss in Montpellier final (d. Paire in 2R, l. to No. 10 Gasquet). On a 5-match losing streak in finals (4-6) and 22-match losing streak vs. Top 10 opponents (10-59)
• Saved 1 MP in 63 46 76(7) win over Ramos-Viñolas in Doha 1R (l. to Chardy in 2R)
• Fell to 1-9 in Challenger finals with 3-set loss to Rublev in Quimper, FRA championship match

Giraldo 2016 FastFacts:

YTD W-L: 4-6 (1-3 on hard, 3-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: November 27, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 83
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-7 (3R – 2015)

• The Colombian No. 1 is making his 8th main draw appearance in Miami (4-7 record) and last year turned in 3R best showing (bye, d. Haase, l. to No. 4 Murray). Also 2R in 2010, 2012-13
• Won 1R match at Australian Open (d. Young), Buenos Aires (d. Cervantes), Rio de Janeiro (d. Elias) and São Paulo (d. Cecchinato)
• Reached Australian Open 2R for 5th time in career (d. Young, l. to Sousa)
• Advanced to Canberra, AUS Challenger QF (d. Sela in 1R, l. to Dodig)

[WC] Elias Ymer (SWE) vs Federico Delbonis (ARG) First Meeting

Ymer 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 0-1 (0-1 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: April 10, 1996
Emirates ATP Ranking: 142
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): Main Draw Debut

• The 19-year-old Swedish wild card (turns 20 on April 10) is making his tournament debut and 1 of 9 teenagers in main draw
• No. 1 of three Swedes in Top 500 Emirates ATP Rankings (others No. 241 Christian Lindell, No. 481 Magnus Eriksson)
• Qualified at Montpellier with win over fellow 19-year-olds Janvier and Khachanov (l. to Mathieu in 1R)
• Lost to Olivo in Australian Open qualifying 1st round after qualifying at all 4 Grand Slams in 2015
• Advanced to Jonkoping, SWE Challenger QF (d. Nedovyesov and Lestienne, l. to Middelkoop)

Delbonis 2016 FastFacts:
QF(2): Rio de Janeiro (l Cuevas); Sao Paulo (l Cervantes)
YTD W-L: 10-6 (6-3 on hard, 4-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: October 5, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 48
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-2 (2R – 2015)

• The 25-year-old Argentine is making his 3rd straight tournament appearance (1-2 record) and last year defeated Vesely (l. to No. 7 Ferrer in 2R). Made debut in 2014 (l. to Harrison in 1R)
• Earned biggest win of career over No. 2 Murray 76 in 3rd en route to Indian Wells 4R (l. to Monfils)
• Reached Grand Slam 3R for 1st time in 10th major at Australian Open (d. Karlovic and Olivo, l. to Simon)
• Advanced to back-to-back QFs at Rio de Janeiro (d. Sock, l. to Cuevas) and São Paulo (l. to Cervantes) on clay
• Won at least 1 match in all 6 events during 1st 3 months of season

COURT 1

[WC] Roberto Carballes Baena (ESP) vs Aljaz Bedene (GBR) First ATP Meeting

Other meeting:
14 Kenitra CH (Morocco) Clay QF R. Carballes Baena 7-6(3) 2-6 7-6(5)

Carballes Baena 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Sao Paulo (l Carreno Busta)
YTD W-L: 3-2 (3-2 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: March 23, 1993
Emirates ATP Ranking: 114
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-2 (2R – 2015)

• The 23-year-old Spaniard (birthday yesterday) is making his tournament debut and appearing in first career hard court event on ATP World Tour
• Reached 2nd ATP World Tour QF at São Paulo as LL (d. Bellucci, l. to Carreño Busta)
• In only other tour-level event of 2016, advanced to Quito 2R (d. Krajicek, l. to Tomic in 3 sets)
• Owns 7-5 record on ATP Challenger Tour, highlighted by SF run at Mendoza, ARG (l. to G. Melzer)
• Played exclusively on Latin American clay during 1st 10 weeks of season

Bedene 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Chennai (l Coric)
YTD W-L: 4-6 (4-5 on hard, 0-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: July 18, 1989
Emirates ATP Ranking: 57
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 3-2 (3R – 2014)

• The 26-year-old British No. 2 is making his 3rd main draw appearance in Miami. Made debut in 2013 and defeated Becker (l. to Seppi in 2R). Two years ago reached 3R as a qualifier (d. Wang, Pospisil, l. to Becker). Last year lost in 1R qualifying (l. to Jasika)
• Reached QF-or-better for 4th straight year at Chennai, falling in SF (l. to Coric)
• Owns 12-4 career record at Chennai and 31-52 record everywhere else
• Posted only other win of season in Acapulco 1R when opponent Karlovic retired with knee injury
• Held 5 MPs vs. Querrey in Auckland 1R before retiring in 3rd set due to leg injury

Hyeon Chung (KOR) vs Denis Kudla (USA) First ATP Meeting

Other meetings:
15 Busan CH (South Korea) Hard R16 Hyeon Chung 7-6(3) 7-6(5)
15 Seoul CH (South Korea) Hard QF Hyeon Chung 6-1 6-2

Chung 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 5-7 (5-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 19, 1996
Emirates ATP Ranking: 67
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-1 (2R – 2015)

• The 19-year-old Korean is making his 2nd straight appearance. Last year came in ranked No. 121 and beat No. 50 Granollers (l. to No. 9 Berdych in 2R)
• Last month, earned biggest win of career by ranking over No. 34 Garcia-Lopez in Rotterdam 1R (l. to Troicki in 2R)
• Also advanced to 2R at Brisbane (d. Groth, l. to Cilic) and Dubai (d. Seppi, l. to Bautista Agut)
• Swept 6 sets to defeat Venus and Statham in Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I (KOR d. NZL 3-1
• Fell to eventual champion Djokovic in 1R of Australian Open debut
• Qualified and earned 1st 2 ATP doubles wins of career at Dubai w/Vesely, falling to Lopez/Lopez in SF

Kudla 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 4-6 (4-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: August 17, 1992
Emirates ATP Ranking: 63
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-1 (1R – 2012)

• The 23-year-old American is making his 2nd main draw appearance, 1st since 2012 when he lost in 1R (l. to Veic) as a wild card. Lost in 1R qualifying in 2014-15
• Advanced to 2R at Brisbane (l. to Thiem), Australian Open (l. to Seppi) and Memphis (l. to Kukushkin)
• Achieved career-high No. 59 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 8
• Fell to del Potro 61 64 in Delray Beach 1R – Argentine’s 1st match since ‘15 ATP Masters 1000 Miami

[WC] Nicolas Jarry (CHI) vs Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) First Meeting

Jarry 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 0-1
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 11, 1995
Emirates ATP Ranking: 472
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): Main Draw Debut

• The 20-year-old Chilean is making his Miami main draw debut
• In lone tour-level appearance this season, lost to No. 6 Ferrer 63 76(3) as WC in Rio de Janeiro 1R
• Qualified at Bucaramanga, COL Challenger, falling to Zeballos 76(1) 75 in 1R. Has 1-4 Challenger W-L
• Captured Futures doubles title at Palm Coast, USA w/Saez (d. Nagy/Spencer)
• Reached career-high No. 172 on May 11 last year

Stakhovsky 2016 FastFacts:

YTD W-L: 1-5 (1-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: January 6, 1986
Emirates ATP Ranking: 115
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 3-6 (3R – 2010)

• The 30-year-old Ukrainian is making his 7th main draw appearance and looking to break a 3-match 1R losing streak in Miami (2012, ’14-15). Reached 2R in 2011 and best result 3R in 2010 (d. Hajek, Benneteau, l. to No. 8 Roddick)
• Opened season with 1-5 tour-level record, posting lone win in Marseille 1R (d. Lopez 76 in 3rd)
• Fell to No. 4 Wawrinka in Marseille 2R after holding 2 MPs and in Dubai 1R after being 2 points from win
• Back injury forced w/o in Quimper, FRA Challenger SF vs. Rublev and withdrawal from Indian Wells

COURT 2

Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs Illya Marchenko (UKR) First Meeting

Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs [Q] Tatsuma Ito (JPN) Mahut Leads 1-0
12 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R64 Nicolas Mahut 1-6 7-6(6) 6-2 6-2

Damir Dzumhur (BIH) vs Leonardo Mayer (ARG) First Meeting

COURT 7

Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) vs John Millman (AUS) First Meeting

[PR] Brian Baker (USA) vs Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) Baker Leads 1-0
12 Nice (France) Clay QF Brian Baker 4-6 6-3 7-6(4)

COURT 8

[LL] Rogerio Dutra Silva (BRA) vs Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) First Meeting

[Q] Pierre-Hugues Herbert (FRA) vs Lukas Rosol (CZE) First Meeting

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Wawrinka Looks Ahead To Miami 2016

  • Posted: Mar 24, 2016

Wawrinka Looks Ahead To Miami 2016

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Nadal Hits Hot Shot In Miami 2016 Doubles

  • Posted: Mar 24, 2016

Nadal Hits Hot Shot In Miami 2016 Doubles

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