* SPOTLIGHT ON MIAMI: The 96-player Miami Open presented by Itau draw features every member of the Top 10 (first time since 2012) and 18 of the Top 20 players in the Emirates ATP Rankings. The second of nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments of the season takes place at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park with three former winners in the field: reigning champ/five-time titleholder Novak Djokovic (2007, ’11-12, ’14-15), two-time champion Andy Murray (2009, ‘13) and two-time winner Roger Federer (2005-06).

* DAY 1 PREVIEW: There are 16 singles matches in the top half of the draw scheduled on an action-packed Day 1 in Miami. Former World No. 4 Juan Martin del Potro headlines the evening session against countryman Guido Pella. In the opening match on Stadium, 18-year-olds Michael Mmoh and Alexander Zverev square off for the first time. They are two of nine teenagers in the draw, the most since there were nine in 1991. In the next match on, left-handers Fernando Verdasco and Gilles Muller meet for the fourth time (Verdasco leads 2-1). Next Generation teenager Taylor Fritz (18), who is the youngest in the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings, is one of four matches on Grandstand. For more information on Wednesday’s match-ups, see page 9.

Watch Live Matches On TennisTV.com

* INDIAN WELLS, MIAMI SWEEP: Since 1991, seven players have won the first two ATP Masters 1000 events of the season (10 times) in Indian Wells and Miami. Djokovic is the only player to accomplish the feat three times (2011, ’14-15). Federer won both titles in 2005-06. Seven players have won both titles in the same year:

* DJOKOVIC GOING FOR SIX: Djokovic is chasing a record-tying sixth Miami crown and trying to equal Andre Agassi’s six titles. Djokovic lifted the trophy in 2007 (d. Canas), 2011 (d. Nadal), 2012 (d. Murray), 2014 (d. Nadal) and last year (d. Murray) and was runner-up in 2009 (l. to Murray). The 28-year-old Serb is making his 11th straight appearance here and he owns a 36-5 career record.

* NADAL CHASING A FIRST: Nadal is making his 12th appearance in Miami (35-10 record) but is still bidding for a first title here. He is a four-time runner-up, falling in the final in 2005 (l. to Federer), 2008 (l. to Davydenko), 2011 (l. to Djokovic) and 2014 (l. to Djokovic). This is the only tournament he has not won with this many attempts.

* ROGER RETURNS: World No. 3 and 2005-06 Miami winner Roger Federer makes his return to the ATP World Tour after undergoing knee surgery on Feb. 3. Prior to his injury, Federer reached the final in Brisbane (l. to Raonic) and the semi-finals at the Australian Open (l. to Djokovic) on Jan. 28. The 34-year-old Swiss superstar has a 44-13 record in Miami and he’s making his 16th showing. In his last visit two years ago, he reached the quarter-finals (l. to Nishikori). He made his tournament debut in 1999 (l. to Carlsen in 1R) and his first win came over Justin Gimelstob in 2000.

* HOME TOURNAMENT: World No. 2 Andy Murray has the comforts of staying at his Miami home during the tournament. The 28-year-old Scottish native has a 27-8 record in Miami, reaching the final in three of the past four years. He won the title in 2012 and was runner-up in ’12 and last year (l. to Djokovic both times). He also won the title in ’09. This is the first time Murray comes into Miami ranked No. 2. After his 3R loss to Delbonis in Indian Wells, Murray was looking forward to his Miami return. “I actually haven’t been back since the tournament last year, which is the longest I haven’t been there for about nine or ten years maybe, since I started using that as a training block for myself. So, yeah, it will be nice to get to Miami and see my family. I’m not necessarily concerned about how I’m playing. I do think I will play better tennis in Miami because I played some good stuff in the Davis Cup.”

* FED-EX ATP WORLD TOUR LEADERS: Djokovic and No. 14 Dominic Thiem, who reached the quarter-finals in Miami last year, are co-leaders in match wins on the ATP World Tour this season (both with 22).

* BAKER IS BACK: Brian Baker is making his first tournament appearance since 2004 when he came in as an 18-year-old wild card (l. to Saulnier in 1R). The 30-year-old Nashville, Tenn. native has been plagued by several injuries over the years. He has an injury protected ranking of No. 56. In his only previous tournament this season at the Australian Open, he lost in the 1R to Simone Bolelli in four tie-breaks.

* DELPO COMEBACK CONTINUES: Juan Martin del Potro is playing in his third tournament on the ATP World Tour since coming back from a left wrist injury last year. This is the 27-year-old Argentine’s eighth appearance in Miami (13-7 record). His best result is the semi-finals in 2009 when he lost to eventual champion Andy Murray. Last year he lost to Vasek Pospisil in the 1R in his final match of the season. He underwent left wrist surgery on Jan. 20 and on June 18. He returned to action last month in Delray Beach where he advanced to the semi-finals (l. to eventual champ Querrey). In Indian Wells, he reached the 2R (d. Smyczek, l. to Berdych). He is ranked No. 366.

* NO. 1 DOUBLE RANKINGS RANKING AT STAKE: Jamie Murray is closing in on No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings. Murray came one match win short of overtaking current No. 1 Marcelo Melo in Indian Wells but lost in the quarter-finals. Melo has an 175-point lead over Murray while No. 3 Horia Tecau and No. 4 Jean-Julien Rojer are also within reach. Melo must reach the quarter-finals in order to have a chance to remain No. 1. Melo has 360 points to defend from last year while Murray has 90. Rojer and Tecau have 180 points to defend. They must win the title to have a chance to take over No. 1.

* OUTSTANDING DOUBLES FIELD: Eight of the Top 10 teams in the Emirates ATP Doubles Team Rankings are entered in the draw, led by Australian Open champions Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares. The reigning champions are four-time winners (2007-08, ’14-15) Bob & Mike Bryan. The top seeds are last year’s No. 1 duo Jean-Julien Rojer and Horia Tecau.

DAY 1 FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

[WC] Michael Mmoh (USA) vs Alexander Zverev (GER) First ATP Meeting

They met once in juniors in the Goombay Splash Bowl on hard courts in Nassau, Bahamas in November 2011 and Zverev won 62 63 in 1R

ALL-TEENAGE MATCH-UPS: This is only the seventh all-teenager match in the history of the tournament (since 1985) and it’s the first in nine years.It’s also the first match between two 18-year-olds:

2016 1R – Michael Mmoh (18) vs. Alexander Zverev (18)
2007 SF – Novak Djokovic (19) d. Andy Murray (19) 61 60
1990 QF – Andre Agassi (19) d. Jim Courier (19) 46 63 61
1990 1R – Fabrice Santoro (17) d. Marc Rosset (19) 64 61
1989 1R – Alberto Mancini (19) d. Chris Garner (19) 76 62 46 63
1987 1R – Thomas Muster (19) d. Andre Agassi (16) 76 75 57 06 64
1987 1R – Christian Bergstrom (19) d. Al Parker (18) 64 62 62

Mmoh 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 0-1 (0-1 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 10, 1998
Emirates ATP Ranking: 370
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): Main Draw Debut

• The youngest player in the main draw (at 18 yrs., 2 mons.) is coming off his fourth career Futures title in Bakersfield, Calif. last Sunday. Last year came in as a wild card in qualifying ranked No. 655 and lost in 1R to Alejandro Falla 62 61
• Beat Novikov and Fratangelo to qualify at Memphis, losing ATP World Tour debut to Fritz in 1R
• Achieved career-high No. 359 in Emirates ATP Rankings on March 7
• Fell in 1R of qualifying at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to Smyczek 75 in 3rd)
• Qualified at Maui, USA Challenger (d. Martinez Vich, l. to Edmund in 2R)
• Reached Futures final at Long Beach, USA (d. Kozlov in 1R, l. to Hanfmann)

Zverev 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Montpellier (l Mathieu); QF: Rotterdam (l Monfils)
YTD W-L: 9-7 (9-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: April 20, 1997
Emirates ATP Ranking: 52 (Career-high)
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-1 (2R – 2015)

• The 18-year-old German is making his second straight Miami main draw appearance after qualifying last year (ranked No. 129), defeating Groth (l. to Rosol in 2R)
• Comes into Miami with a 9-7 match record on season after reaching 4R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells with wins over Dodig, No. 23 seed Dimitrov and No. 16 Simon before losing to No. 4 Nadal (led 5-2 in 3rd & held one M.P.). Comes in ranked a career-high No. 52 in Emirates ATP Rankings
• Last month reached 3rd ATP singles SF at Montpellier (d. Vanni in 1R after saving 1 MP, l. to Mathieu)
• Win over No. 13 Cilic in Montpellier 2R is biggest of career by ranking (has three Top 20 wins in 2016)
• Advanced to Rotterdam QF (d. Simon 76 in 3rd, l. to Monfils)
• Fell to eventual finalist Murray in 1R of Australian Open debut
• Appeared in 2nd ATP doubles final with older brother Mischa at Montpellier (l. to Pavic/Venus)
• In Davis Cup debut, fell to No. 7 Berdych in 4h, 20m and Rosol in deciding rubber (CZE d. GER 3-2)

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs Gilles Muller (LUX) Verdasco Leads 2-1
05 Australian Open (Australia) Hard R128 Fernando Verdasco 6-3 6-0 6-4
12 Roland Garros (France) Clay R64 Fernando Verdasco 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2 6-2
15 Metz (France) Hard R16 Gilles Muller 7-6(3) 7-6(2

Verdasco 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 4-4 (4-3 on hard, 0-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 6
Date of Birth: November 15, 1983
Emirates ATP Ranking: 65
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 14-13 (QF – 2009-10)

• The 32-year-old Spaniard is making his 14th straight showing in Miami and his best result is QFs in 2009 (l. to No. 4 Murray) and ‘10 (l. to No. 20 Berdych). Also 4R last year (d. No. 3 Nadal, l. to Monaco)
• In opening month of season, upset No. 5 Nadal in 4h41m, 5-set Australian Open 1R match, avenging loss to countryman 7 years earlier in 5h14m, 5-set Australian Open SF. Then lost to Sela in 2R
• Has played in 51 straight Grand Slam main draws, 3rd-longest active streak (Federer 65, Lopez 56)
• Fell to 0-11 lifetime against World No. 1 with 62 62 loss to Djokovic in Doha 2R
• Withdrew from doubles in Quito w/Lapentti and singles in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro due to neck injury
• Fell out of Top 50 on Feb. 8 at No. 57 for first time since June 24, 2013 (at No. 54). Comes in No. 65

Muller 2016 FastFacts:
SF(2): Sydney (l Dimitrov); Sofia (l Bautista Agut)
YTD W-L: 10-7 (10-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 9, 1983
Emirates ATP Ranking: 44
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-7 (2R – 2012)

• The 32-year-old Luxembourg native is playing in Miami for 8th time (1-7 record) and lone win came in 2012 when he beat Bogomolov Jr. (l. to Roddick). Last year had bye (l. to Darcis)
• Advanced to SFs at Sydney (d. Thiem in 2R, l. to Dimitrov) and Sofia (l. to Bautista Agut)
• Lost last 7 SF matches since run to 2012 Atlanta final (d. Soeda, l. to Roddick)
• Fell to Millman 46 64 62 46 75 in Australian Open 2R
• Has a 7-31 career record vs. Top 10 opponents and his first of 3 wins in Grand Slam play came over No. 3 Nadal at Wimbledon 2R in 2005

Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) vs Guido Pella (ARG) First Meeting

del Potro 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 4-2 (4-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 18
Date of Birth: September 23, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 366
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 13-7 (SF – 2009)

• The 27-year-old Argentine is making his 8th appearance (13-7) in Miami and his best result is SF in 2009 (d. No. 12 Ferrer in 4R, No. 1 Nadal in QF, l. to eventual champion Murray). Also 4R in 2007 (l. to No. 2 Nadal), ’11 (l. to No. 15 Fish) and ’12 (l. to No. 5 Ferrer). Last year lost in 1R (l. to Pospisil)
• Has won last six matches vs. countrymen since last loss to Nalbandian in ’08 ATP Masters 1000 Paris
• Reached 2R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d. Smyczek, l. to No. 7 Berdych)
• Last month, defeated Kudla, Smith and Chardy at Delray Beach in comeback from wrist surgeries (l. to eventual champion Querrey in SF). Underwent left wrist surgery on Jan. 20 and June 18 last year
• Returned for 1st tournament since 2015 ATP Masters 1000 Miami and 3rd since 2014 Dubai
• Rose from No. 1,042 to No. 420 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22 after Delray Beach
• If he wins 1R, will face No. 3 Federer in 2R and Swiss owns a 15-5 head-to-head record (10-5 on hard)

Pella 2016 FastFacts:
F: Rio de Janeiro (l Cuevas)
YTD W-L: 8-5 (4-2 on hard, 4-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 17, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 39 (Career-high)
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-2 (2R – 2013)

• The 25-year-old Argentine is making his 3rd main draw appearance in Miami and best result is 2R in 2013 (d. Berlocq-Ret., l .to Almagro). In last appearance in 2014 (l. to Sock in 1R). Did not play last year
• The No. 1 Argentine has five countrymen in main draw
• Last month, broke through to reach 1st career ATP World Tour final at Rio de Janeiro (d. Thiem, l. to Cuevas in 3 sets). Saved 3 MPs in Rio de Janeiro 1R to beat No. 11 Isner 76(5) 57 76(8)
• Achieved career-high No. 40 in Emirates ATP Rankings on March 7
• Made winning Davis Cup debut to open Argentina’s 3-2 victory over Poland in 1R (d. Przysiezny)
• Earned 1st Australian Open win and 2nd overall at a Grand Slam by beating Darcis in 5 sets. Lost to Lopez 76(2) 67(4) 76(3) 67(8) 64 in 2R

GRANDSTAND

Edmund 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Doha (l Berdych)
YTD W-L: 2-3 (2-3 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 8, 1995
Emirates ATP Ranking: 87
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 0-2 (1R – 2014-15)

• The 21-year-old British No. 3 (behind No. 2 Murray, No. 57 Bedene) is making his 3rd straight main draw appearance in Miami and looking for his 1st win. Two years ago (l. to Benneteau in three sets) and last year (l. to Haase), both as a wild card
• In opening week of season, advanced to 1st ATP World Tour QF of career at Doha as Q (d. Muñoz de la Nava 76 in 3rd, l. to No. 6 Berdych). Then fell in 5 sets to Dzumhur in Australian Open 1R
• Followed run to Maui, USA Challenger final (l. to Wu) with 4th Challenger title at Dallas, USA (d. countryman Evans). Did not drop a set en route to title in Dallas, including wins over Bangoura, McGee, Zemlja and Smyczek
• Achieved career-high No. 82 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22. Comes in No. 87

Vesely 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-6 (1-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: July 10, 1993
Emirates ATP Ranking: 55
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-2 (2R – 2014)

• The 22-year-old Czech Republic native is making his 3rd straight appearance in Miami. Reached 2R two years ago (d. Volandri, l. to Lopez) and last year 1R (l. to Delbonis in three sets)
• Comes in with an 1-6 match record and posted only singles win in 1st 3 months of season, beating countryman Rosol in Rotterdam 1R
• As defending champion, lost to eventual champion Bautista Agut in Auckland 1R
• Fell to 0-3 lifetime at Australian Open with 5-set loss to Olivo in 1R

Diego Schwartzman (ARG) vs Vasek Pospisil (CAN) First Meeting

Schwartzman 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 3-5 (0-2 on hard, 3-3 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: August 16, 1992
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 85
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-1 (1R – 2015)

• The 23-year-old Argentine is playing in Miami main draw for 2nd straight year after falling in 1R last season (l. to Thiem). Lost in 1R qualifying in 2013 (l. to Ram) and 2014 (l. to Jaziri)
• Won 1R matches at 3 of 4 events to start 2016 season: Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, all on clay
• Advanced to QF at Canberra, AUS Challenger, retiring down a set to Muñoz de la Nava due to right hand injury
• Looking for first win on hard courts (0-2). Retired while leading Millman 63 75 67(2) 05 in Australian Open 1R due to cramping. Lost in 1R in Indian Wells (l. to Haase)

Pospisil 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 3-8 (3-7 on hard, 0-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: June 23, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 43
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-2 (2R – 2015)

• The 25-year-old Canadian is making his 3rd straight Miami appearance and last year won his 1st singles match (d. del Potro, l. to Dimitrov). Reached doubles final w/Sock, losing to Bryan brothers
• Off to 3-8 singles start with wins over Karlovic in Auckland, Pouille in Dubai, Donaldson in Indian Wells
• Went 0-6 in sets during Canada’s 5-0 loss to France in Davis Cup 1R (l. to Simon, w/Bester l. to Gasquet/Tsonga)
• Fell to frequent doubles partner Sock in Auckland 2R (1st H2H meeting)
• Captured 6th ATP World Tour doubles title at Rotterdam w/Mahut (d. Peya/Petzschner) and runner-up in Indian Wells w/Sock (l. to Herbert/Mahut)
• Advanced to Australian Open doubles QF w/Sock (d. Hewitt/Groth, l. to Cuevas/Granollers)

[Q] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs Simone Bolelli (ITA) First Meeting

Fritz 2016 FastFacts:
F: Memphis (l Nishikori); QF: Acapulco (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 6-5 (6-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 28, 1997
Emirates ATP Ranking: 81
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): Main Draw Debut

• The youngest player (at 18 yrs., 4 mon.) in Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 81 qualified into main draw and is making his tournament debut. One of five Americans to qualify in Miami (most since ’09) and one of nine teenagers in main draw (most since 1991)
• Last month advanced to 1st ATP World Tour final in 3rd tour-level event at Memphis as WC (d. Berankis in 3 sets, l. to No. 7 Nishikori). Afterwards jumped from 145 to 102 in Emirates ATP Rankings
• At 18 years, 109 days, became youngest ATP finalist since Nishikori won 2008 Delray Beach (18 years, 50 days)
• Also the youngest American in an ATP final since 17-year-old Chang won 1989 Wembley
• Advanced to 2nd ATP QF at Acapulco as Q (d. Chardy and Estrella Burgos, l. to Querrey). Afterwards broke Top 100 on Feb. 29 at No. 81. Reached career-high No. 80 on March 7
• Rallied from 0-4 down in 3rd to beat M. Zverev and qualify for 1st career major at Australian Open (l. to Sock in 1R)
• Started season by capturing 3rd ATP Challenger Tour title at Happy Valley, AUS (d. Sela)

Bolelli 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-5 (1-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 8, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 79
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 6-6 (3R – 2007-08)

• The No. 4 Italian is making his 7th appearance in Miami and his best result is 3R in 2007 as a qualifier (l. to No. 14 Ferrer) and in ’08 (l. to No. 4 Davydenko). Last year lost in 2R (d. Baghdatis, l. to Troicki)
• Started 2016 season 1-5 in singles with lone win in Australian Open 1R (d. Baker, l. to Tomic)
• Saved 2 MPs to capture 5th ATP World Tour doubles title at Dubai w/Seppi (d. Lopez/Lopez 14-12 in Match TB)
• Also teamed w/Seppi to clinch Italy’s victory over Switzerland in Davis Cup 1R (d. Chiudinelli/Laaksonen)
• As defending champion w/Fognini, fell to Mannarino/Pouille in Australian Open doubles 2R
• Withdrew from Sofia due to back injury

Ivan Dodig (CRO) vs Juan Monaco (ARG) Dodig Leads 1-0
11 Tokyo (Japan) Hard R32 Ivan Dodig 6-2 2-6 7-6(1)

Dodig 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 2-4 (2-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: January 2, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 75
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 4-4 (2R – 2011-14)

• The 31-year-old Croat is making his fifth appearance in Miami and his best result is 2R four times from 2011-14. Lost to No. 4 Soderling in 2011, No. 19 F. Mayer in 2012, No. 23 Isner in 2013 and No. 32 F. Mayer two years ago (DNP last year)
• Qualified and reached 2R at Brisbane (l. to Raonic in 3 sets) and Rotterdam (l. to Kohlschreiber)
• In January, beat fellow Top 100 players Gimeno-Traver, Giraldo and Muñoz de la Nava en route to Canberra, AUS Challenger final (l. to Lorenzi)
• In doubles, World No. 9 is 5-5 on the season (3-3 with World No. 1 Melo)
• Helped Croatia to 3-2 win over Belgium in Davis Cup 1R, teaming w/Skugor to beat Bemelmans/Goffin

Monaco 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-3 (0-1 on hard), 1-2 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 8
Date of Birth: March 29, 1984
Emirates ATP Ranking: 108
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 15-12 (SF – 2012)

• The 31-year-old Argentine is making his 13th straight Miami appearance and his best result is SF in 2012 when he beat No. 14 Monfils, No. 34 Roddick and No. 8 Fish before losing to No. 1 Djokovic. Last year advanced to QF (d. No. 16 Gulbis in 2R, d. No. 25 Garcia-Lopez in 3R, l. to No. 9 Berdych)
• Playing in second hard court tournament of season since coming back from right wrist injury last season (withdrew from Australian Open). Lost in 1R to Berrer in three sets in Indian Wells
• Earned lone win of season in Buenos Aires last month (d. Cecchinato, l. to No. 5 Nadal in 2R)
• Retired from Rio de Janeiro 1R vs. Gimeno-Traver due to right shoulder injury

COURT 1

Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS) vs Lucas Pouille (FRA) First ATP Meeting

Other meeting:
14 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid Q (Spain) Clay — Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2 6-4

Gabashvili 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Sydney (l Troicki)
YTD W-L: 7-7 (7-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 23, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 49
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 5-5 (2R – 5 Times)

• No. 1 Russian is making his 6th main draw appearance in Miami (5-5 record) and lost in 2R five previous times: 2007 as a qualifier, 2009, 2011, 2014 and last year (all to Top 20 opponents)
• Snapped 0-16 start to career in ATP World Tour QFs by reaching Sydney SF (d. Tomic, l. to Troicki)
• Saved 3 MPs to upset defending champion Simon in Marseille 1R (l. to Kyrgios in 2R)
• Achieved career-high No. 43 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 1
• Defeated Windahl and Arvidsson to help Russia sweep Sweden 5-0 in Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group I

Pouille 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Brisbane (l Raonic)
YTD W-L: 2-5 (2-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: February 23, 1994
Emirates ATP Ranking: 88
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): Main Draw Debut

• The 22-year-old is making his tournament debut and one of 11 Frenchmen in main draw. Also one of 10 Frenchmen in Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings
• Advanced to 5th ATP World Tour singles QF at Brisbane (d. Goffin, l. to Raonic)
• Reached 1st doubles SF of career at Australian Open w/Mannarino (d. Bolelli/Fognini and Rojer/Tecau, l. to J. Murray/Soares)
• Fell to 0-3 lifetime at Australian Open with 1R loss to Raonic
• Qualified at Dubai (l. to Pospisil in 1R)

Victor Estrella Burgos (DOM) vs Sam Groth (AUS) Groth Leads 1-0
15 Houston (U.S.A.) Clay R32 Sam Groth 7-6(3) 6-4

Estrella Burgos 2016 FastFacts:
W: Quito (d Bellucci)
YTD W-L: 6-4 (1-4 on hard, 5-0 on clay)
YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: August 2, 1980
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 66
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-1 (1R – 2015)

• The 35-year-old Dominican Republic native, who is the oldest player in singles draw, is making his second straight main draw showing. Last year lost in 1R (l. to Querrey 64 63). Lost in 1R qualifying in 2012 (l. to Sugita) and 2R qualifying in 2014 (l. to Sock)
• Last month, captured 2nd ATP World Tour title at Quito, defending title with 46 76(5) 62 win over Bellucci
• Improved to 10-0 in Quito during career (20-34 at other tour-level events excluding Davis Cup)
• Only other win of season came in Acapulco 1R (d. L. Gomez, l. to Fritz)

Groth 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-8 (1-7 on hard, 0-1 on grass)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 19, 1987
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 77
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 0-1 (1R – 2015)

• The 28-year-old Aussie is making his second straight appearance in Miami after losing in 1R last year (l. to A. Zverev in three sets)
• Has struggled with 1-8 start, scoring lone win in Australian Open 1R (d. Mannarino, l. to No. 2 Murray)
• Fell to Isner in opening rubber of Davis Cup 1R (USA d. AUS 3-1)
• Held 3 MPs vs. Rubin in Delray Beach 1R before losing 64 46 76(6)
• In doubles, served as partner to Hewitt in countryman’s last match at Australian Open (l. to Pospisil/Sock in 3R)

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) vs Ernests Gulbis (LAT) Youzhny Leads 4-3
07 Moscow (Russia) Hard R32 Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-2
10 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Clay R32 Ernests Gulbis 7-6(2) 6-4
10 ATP Masters 1000 Paris (France) Hard R32 Ernests Gulbis 6-4 3-0 ret
11 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R128 Ernests Gulbis 6-2 6-4 6-4
12 Doha (Qatar) Hard R32 Mikhail Youzhny 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2
13 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (U.S.A.) Hard R64 Mikhail Youzhny 7-5 6-3
14 ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai (China) Hard R64 Mikhail Youzhny 6-4 6-1

Youzhny 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 1-1 (1-1 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 10
Date of Birth: June 25, 1982
Emirates ATP Ranking: 72
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 10-11 (QF – 2010)

• The 33-year-old Russian is making his 12th Miami appearance and his best result is QF in 2010 (d. No. 23 Wawrinka, l. to No. 7 Soderling). Has not won back-to-back matches since then, losing in 3R in 2011 (bye, d. Lu, O. Rochus) and 2013 (bye, d. Lu, l. to Gasquet) and 2R last year (d. Golubev, l. to Nishikori)
• Won 30 of 32 sets to sweep 3 consecutive ATP Challenger Tour titles in January. Captured 2 titles in Bangkok, THA (d. Soeda and Pavlasek), followed by title at Manila, PHI (d. Chiudinelli). Has a 15-0 record in Challengers this season
• In first tour-level appearance, qualified at Dubai before losing to Jaziri in 1R. At ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d. Bedene, W/D vs. Bautista Agut due to illness)
• Re-entered Top 100 of Emirates ATP Rankings on January 18, rising from No. 106 to No. 84

Gulbis 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 2-5 (2-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 6
Date of Birth: August 30, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 78
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-6 (2R – 2008, 2011-bye, 2014-bye, 2015-bye)

• The 27-year-old Latvian is making his 7th Miami appearance (1-6) and won his only match in 2008 debut (d. Hrbaty, l. to No. 4 Davydenko). Lost in 2R (after bye) in 2011, 2014 and last year
• Has a 2-5 record this season and four of five losses have come to Frenchmen. Lost to Gasquet in 2R at Montpellier (d. Halys in 1R) and Marseille (d. De Schepper in 1R). Lost to Spaniard Garcia-Lopez in Indian Wells
• Fell to Chardy 13-11 in 5th set of Australian Open 1R after 4 hours, 43 minutes
• Qualified at Rotterdam (l. to Monfils in 1R). Lost in qualifying at Brisbane and Sydney

COURT 2

Rajeev Ram (USA) vs Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) Donskoy Leads 1-0
13 Atlanta (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Evgeny Donskoy 6-3 6-4

Other meeting:
15 Ortisei CH (Italy) Hard SF Rajeev Ram 6-4 6-3

[Q] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) vs [LL] Jared Donaldson (USA) Nishioka Leads 1-0
16 Memphis (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3 6-4

Other meeting:
15 Aptos CH (U.S.A.) Hard R16 Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6 6-3 6-3

COURT 7

[Q] Dennis Novikov (USA) vs Dusan Lajovic (SRB) First Meeting

Inigo Cervantes (ESP) vs [WC] Andrey Rublev (RUS) First Meeting

Being at the Miami Open presented by Itau is a happy homecoming of sorts for Kei Nishikori. The World No. 6, who has trained in Bradenton for more than a decade, looked forward to the comforts of playing in Florida again despite coming off a career-best quarter-final showing at the BNP Paribas Open (l. to Nadal).

“For me, here is better for my tennis,” he said Tuesday, ahead of the year’s second ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament. “[In] Indian Wells, [with the high] bounce and a little bit altitude, the ball flies a little more, so I feel a big server has more chance. But here, no altitude. It’s a little bit windy, so it’s tough condition, but I live in Florida too so it’s like home here.”

The 26 year old has been pleased with his form thus far in the season. Mirroring his start to 2015, he enters Miami having reached the quarter-finals or better in four of his five tournament appearances on the season, highlighted by the successful title defence in Memphis. 

“I try to play the same like last year,” he said. “My serve is getting better, improving a lot, so it’s great to see that. Try to be consistent with everything – serve, groundstroke, everything – that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Nishikori achieved his best Miami result in 2014, when he took down Grigor Dimitrov, David Ferrer and Roger Federer in succession before withdrawing with a groin injury prior to his semi-final match against eventual champion Novak Djokovic. When the pair met on court later that year, Nishikori prevailed against the Serbian to reach the US Open final.

The Japanese star has since lost five straight FedEx ATP Head2Head meetings to Djokovic and spoke of the need to take risks in order to have a chance of beating the World No. 1.

“You have to be a little more aggressive when you play Novak,” he said. “He’s very consistent and he doesn’t give you any loose points or any free points, so you have to really work every point and you have to be really focused.”

In order to set a rematch with Djokovic in Miami, both players would need to reach the final. For Nishikori, this could mean defeating World No. 9 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the Round of 16 and No. 2 Andy Murray, a two-time Miami champion, in the quarter-finals. Potential semi-final opponents include No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, No. 5 Rafael Nadal, No. 12 and Indian Wells finalist Milos Raonic or No. 13 John Isner, whom Nishikori lost to in the Miami quarter-finals last year.

He awaits the winner between Czech Lukas Rosol and French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert in his opening match.

Milos Raonic has enjoyed one of the best starts to 2016 on the ATP World Tour.

The 6’5” Canadian is 14-2 on the year. He won a title in Brisbane (d. Federer) and reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open (l. to Murray). Last week, at the year’s first ATP World Tour Masters 1000, the BNP Paribas Open, Raonic produced another impressive result by making the final (l. Djokovic).

The 25 year old looks to keep improving this week at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

“I hope I can continue playing like I have in the last few tournaments this year,” Raonic said Tuesday in Miami. “I think my level has improved and I hope I keep that progress going forward.”

Raonic, who bumped up two spots in the Emirates ATP Rankings to No. 12, has yet to achieve a breakout result in Miami. His best showing came in 2014 when he reached the quarter-finals (l. to Nadal). Last year, American John Isner defeated Raonic in the fourth round 6-7(3), 7-6(6), 7-6(5).

Raonic’s health will be a key to better results in Miami. A torn adductor affected him against Andy Murray in Australia, and Raonic sat out the entire month of February to rest. He also sought medical treatment after the first set against Djokovic on Sunday. When Raonic was asked on Sunday if it felt like the adductor again, he said, “Feels similar, but not as bad. I don’t think I let it get as bad.”

But he later said he didn’t think any injury affected his effort. “I thought he played much better than I did,” Raonic said of Djokovic. “I struggled again, just like last time, to start the match well, and then he’s the best player in the world at this moment and a good step ahead of everybody.”

A new addition to Raonic’s team has helped his strong start. In January, Raonic brought former World No. 1 Carlos Moya to his team.

“He’s given me a lot of understanding about my tennis,” Raonic said. “He’s also given me a lot of insight on how to go about the process, how to improve, how to get better, what to improve and how to get closer to achieving the goals that I hope to achieve.”

Raonic will receive a first-round bye in Miami. In the second round, he’ll play either #NextGen star Hyeon Chung of South Korea or American Denis Kudla.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres may have discovered Novak Djokovic’s weakness: Smashing his own face in front of a television audience.

Djokovic, who is scheduled to start his Miami Open title defence on Friday, recently stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to talk about his on-court success, his family and his biggest competitors. He and DeGeneres even made time for a little tennis.

The World No. 1 agreed with DeGeneres when she said he’s playing the best tennis of his career.

“Yes, absolutely at the peak of my abilities at the moment… I managed to put many things together in private and professional life so I found that harmony and balance that allows me to use my full potential on the tennis court,” said Djokovic, who is married and has a 17-month-old son, Stefan. “I’m just trying to cherish every moment spent on court.”

DeGeneres asked the Serb to name his biggest competitor. The five-time Miami champion rattled off Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. He also named possible future challengers, including Canadian Milos Raonic and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov.

“It’s good for sport,” Djokovic said of the younger generation. “Sport needs rivalries, but also sports needs some new generations and new players that are challenging for major titles.”

He and DeGeneres also scheduled a practice.

She said she plans to attend the men’s Wimbledon final in July. Djokovic suggested they hit a couple of balls on the grass, to which DeGeneres jokingly agreed.

Later they tried to smash Djokovic’s face. The two stood in front of a board and tried to hit tennis balls through eight circles wearing Djokovic’s smiles.

“Why is it only my face?” he said.

“Because it’s a game we’re calling smash your face,” DeGeneres said.

“My own face,” Djokovic said.

DeGeneres hit a face on her second attempt and drew cheers from Djokovic and the crowd.

“How can you smash such a beautiful face?” he said.

Djokovic served a ball through a face on his fifth attempt.