Miami Match Thread (Murray wins!)

by Silver Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:52 am

After watching Rafael Nadal complete a triumphant hardcourt transition at Indian Wells and break his own record for Masters titles won, the tour rumbles on and circles the wagons at Key Biscayne, Miami. The Miami Masters has been held here since 1987, after originally setting up at none other than Delray Beach in 1985. The cream generally seems to rise to the top at Miami, and by far the most prolific winner of the tournament is Andre Agassi, who notched up an amazing six titles over the course of his career. Amongst currently active players who are present at the 2013 tournament, only Djokovic, Murray and Davydenko have lifted the title previously - though Berdych was a finalist in 2010. Although Federer and Nadal are missing, the vast majority of the tour seems to have turned up, and hopefully we'll have an interesting tournament this year.

Prize: $719,160 (purse of $5,185,625), which marks an increase from last year. And of course, 1000 precious ranking points are on offer to the winner.
Defending champion is Novak Djokovic, who defeated Andy Murray in straight sets in 2012. He also won the 2011 tournament, and is therefore going for a hat-trick of wins.
Click for an updated draw on the ATP website.
Morning sessions typically begin at 11:00 local time, and evening sessions around 20:00.

by lydian Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:57 pm

Nice one silver. Paire vs Llodra should be a stylish match, both creative players.

Come on Red, I know you're watching the forum...get posting again!

by **laverfan** Wed Mar 20, 2013 3:16 pm

Hewitt v Sousa, Davydenko v Lorenzi while on the WTA side Keys v Kiick should be interesting as well.

by ryan86 Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:17 pm

I mentioned in another thread that Murray's route to the final could be

Tomic > Dimitrov > Janowicz > Klizan > Raonic

We talk about the next generation, Murray could play them all in a row.

by **laverfan** Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:27 pm

Spare-parts Hewitt wins against Sousa. Cool

by ryan86 Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:31 pm

It always confuses me, but there's a Joao Sousa and a Joao Souza on tour, disappointingly they've never played each other.

by The Special Juan Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:09 pm

ryan86 wrote:It always confuses me, but there's a Joao Sousa and a Joao Souza on tour, disappointingly they've never played each other.

A Portugese and a Brazilian, isn't it? Agreed, I'd love to see them meet on TV.

by carrieg4 Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:13 pm

laverfan wrote:Spare-parts Hewitt wins against Sousa.

by ryan86 Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:26 pm

In the womens, Robson through in 3 sets against Camila Giorgi. She now plays Alize Cornet, with the winner likely to play Azarenka.

by **JuliusHMarx** Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:35 pm

ryan86 wrote:In the womens, Robson through in 3 sets against Camila Giorgi. She now plays Alize Cornet, with the winner likely to play Azarenka.

The problem with Cornet is that she likes to blow her own trumpet.

by ryan86 Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:08 am

Nice to see Davydenko at his consistent best. Through against Lorenzi 6-0 2-6 6-0

by Cogen Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:48 am

JuliusHMarx wrote:The problem with Cornet is that she likes to blow her own trumpet.

Totally agree! I scream whenever I see her interviews.

"I scream" ... "ice cream" ... "cornet" ... geddit? ... geddit?

Ahem, I'll be off then... Whistle

by lydian Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:36 am

Rosol wins to face Djokovic...can he take out another big name?
Not a chance...

by HM Murdock Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:31 pm

JuliusHMarx wrote:The problem with Cornet is that she likes to blow her own trumpet

Cogen wrote:Totally agree! I scream whenever I see her interviews.

"I scream" ... "ice cream" ... "cornet" ... geddit? ... geddit?

The problem with Cornet is that her ranking isn't just low - it was abolished in 1871.

The problem with Cornet is.. erm... nuns sometimes wear her on their head?

by Silver Thu Mar 21, 2013 2:43 pm

ryan86 wrote:It always confuses me, but there's a Joao Sousa and a Joao Souza on tour, disappointingly they've never played each other.

Brilliant! Reminds me of Wozniack and Wozniacki.

Apparently the Davydenko match was rain-interrupted, but that's still a pretty unusual scoreline. Handing out two bagels, yet you're taken to three?

by carrieg4 Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:46 pm

Looking forward to the clash of the 30+s today.

by **laverfan** Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:05 pm

Silver wrote:
ryan86 wrote:It always confuses me, but there's a Joao Sousa and a Joao Souza on tour, disappointingly they've never played each other.

Brilliant! Reminds me of Wozniack and Wozniacki.

It is Wozniak (Alexandra - CAN) and Wozniacki (Caroline - DEN). Wink

Silver wrote:Apparently the Davydenko match was rain-interrupted, but that's still a pretty unusual scoreline. Handing out two bagels, yet you're taken to three?

Two bagels, but lost one 6-2. The rain maust have broken his concentration. Sad

by **laverfan** Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:32 pm

Two matches I think can be interesting...

[Q] Marius Copil (ROU)
v
[Q] Guillaume Rufin (FRA)

David Goffin (BEL)
v
Robin Haase (NED)

by lydian Thu Mar 21, 2013 6:28 pm

Goffin wins 1st set, Haase up a break in the 2nd.

Rufin won in straights.

by The Special Juan Thu Mar 21, 2013 6:36 pm

Tomic plays Murray then. Interesting but a damp squib I think.

by lydian Thu Mar 21, 2013 6:40 pm

Yep, 'Gin & Tomic' as the media lovingly phrase him only just scraped past HC legend Marc Giquel.

by lags72 Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:04 pm

The Special Juan wrote:Tomic plays Murray then. Interesting but a damp squib I think.

Probably, yes.

But you just never know ..... chin

by lags72 Thu Mar 21, 2013 7:08 pm

ryan86 wrote:It always confuses me, but there's a Joao Sousa and a Joao Souza on tour, disappointingly they've never played each other.

Yes, very disappointing. The time has come to rig a draw sometime soon, surely.

Failing that, I'd say an exhibition is called for.......

by ryan86 Thu Mar 21, 2013 11:33 pm

I see Venus Williams is just about to start against Kimiko Date-Krumm. Given that KDK is 42 and Venus Williams is 32, that's a combined age of 74. With the relative youth of tennis these days, this must be one of the "oldest" matches for a while.

by Silver Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:28 am

laverfan wrote:It is Wozniak (Alexandra - CAN) and Wozniacki (Caroline - DEN).

Thanks LF - I actually went to Wiki to check beforehand, and still managed to get it wrong! Doh

OP updated, not too many inspiring matches today it has to be said...

by ryan86 Fri Mar 22, 2013 6:04 pm

Tennis can be a funny game. I leave my computer consigned to the fact that the two bets I had on were losers (down 2 match points and a set point) respectively. Omelette and chips consumed, I return, both winners £50 better off.

by The Special Juan Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:18 pm

Robbo takes the first set against Cornet Cool

Something's stopped play though. Rain?

by CAS Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:27 am

Delpo out 7-6 6-1, it seems to me fitness will always be his biggest obstacle

by ryan86 Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:55 am

I believe that all seeds have fallen in that 1/8th.

by HM Murdock Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:58 am

Novak demolishes Rosol 6-1 6-0.

24 sets of tennis played since AO.

4 have been bagels, 5 have been breadsticks.

Imagine how dangerous he'd look if he had momentum...

by Born Slippy Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:03 am

ryan86 wrote:I believe that all seeds have fallen in that 1/8th.

And that's in Ferrer's quarter of the draw as well. If Kei can take out Ferrer he has a great chance to make a semi-final and push on towards the top 10. Blake may well make a quarter as well!

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:43 am

Unlucky Robbo. With Azarenka not there she had a great chance to go far but it seems the (rain?) came at the wrong time at deuce on her serve at 5-5

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:46 am

" "Laura Robson might go an entire career without playing a match as bizarre as this. It lasted more than seven hours from start to finish, included three rain delays, two power cuts which led to floodlight failure, and two sets which concluded with double faults.

"Even then the 19-year-old didn't looked like losing until the third set. She hit winners galore as the pair shared 7-5 sets, but her serve, normally such a potent weapon, was a liability.

"She hit 17 double faults and then lost the last six games in a row after the second power cut.""

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/21909802

by Henman Bill Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:08 pm

Speaking of blowing my own trumpet I did say that there was big let down potential for Del Potro when someone said he would have a good week. He was playing above himself last week, and couldn't be expected to continue,- inevitable emotional let down. How hard is it to win a masters? You beat Murray, Djokovic, go a set and a break up against Nadal....and it's still not enough.

by lydian Sat Mar 23, 2013 2:30 pm

Shame for Laura...was all looking good at 7-5 5-5, she got "Miami Beat" by the conditions.

Shows what trying to beat these top guys to win a big event costs these lesser players.

I'm hoping Goffin and Dimitrov win today to keep making those next moves up. Goffin has the harder match vs Kohlschreiber IMO, infact he's underdog there. What a strange term 'underdog' is BTW.

by **laverfan** Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:03 pm

Murray Tomic would be interesting. Rochus Gasquet looks like Rochus can take him out, but the court is so slow.

Goffin broke back to stay in the set. Cool

by **laverfan** Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:05 pm

Will Gasquet ever play closer to the BL? furious

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:40 pm

He's too negative. If he were to follow Murray's example and take a step or two up the court to hit the ball he's be a neat permanent fixture in the top 10. But, as he continues to be negative, he'll never be as good as he should be. (Also, Berdbrain is the only player more fragile in the head than him.) Does he have a coach?

by hawkeye Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:46 pm

laverfan wrote:Will Gasquet ever play closer to the BL?

Playing close to the base line is not the holy grail...

Did you see that lovely backhand down the line from Gasquet on match point hit from several feet behind the line...

by banbrotam Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:51 pm

hawkeye wrote:
laverfan wrote:Will Gasquet ever play closer to the BL?

Playing close to the base line is not the holy grail...

It's true it is a bit over-rated. Murray does it now, but also does around three times more errors than he used to do. In additon the Scot cracked a superb winner past DP last week, from around 6ft behind the base line

by LuvSports! Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:05 pm

and he lost..

by banbrotam Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:09 pm

LuvSports! wrote:and he lost..

Because he made around 50 errors, playing 'aggressively' like everyone wants!! In fairness he didn't have the match awareness / fitness to do his classic variety, which includes balls hit behind the base-line

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:32 pm

Goffin's won but I wonder if something was up with Kohli at the end of the match. He was broken 4 times in a row in the final set.

by **laverfan** Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:35 pm

HE... Are you listening to some British commentators? I would strongly recommend listening to Jason Goodall/Robby Koenig. No one said BL hugging is the holy grail, but not every one has the RPMs a la Nadal to play from 3m behind the BL. Wink

On the slower courts, it is a good thing to take time away from your opponent.

by lydian Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:36 pm

Playing close to the baseline was important when courts were quicker otherwise a fast angled shot/serve killed you. Standing further back on slower surfaces negates the spin, gives more time to wide shots and aalows more power to be put onto shots whilst keeping them in the court.

Good win for Goffin over Kohlscreiber 76 46 62.

by lydian Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:47 pm

Kohli just didn't serve we'll TSJ and Goffin is a good returner.

by The Special Juan Sat Mar 23, 2013 5:57 pm

lydian wrote:Kohli just didn't serve we'll TSJ and Goffin is a good returner.

Fair enough, thanks for the info. I didn't see it so I didn't know if Kohli was injured but seeing as he wasn't then it's a very good win for Goffin.

Pella or Almugro up next for him.

by lydian Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:33 pm

Yep good win for wee David.

"Almugro" has been a top 15 player for 2 and half years now, why do you call him a mug?

by lydian Sat Mar 23, 2013 6:53 pm

Troicki is in poor frame of mind these days. Tsonga looks nothing special right now also, not sure I see any diff with Rasheed besides a change of Babolat racquet.

by lydian Sat Mar 23, 2013 7:27 pm

Weird match between Murray & Tomic so far...errors galore.

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