Miami Match Thread (Murray wins!)

by Silver Wed 20 Mar 2013, 9:52 am

First topic message reminder :

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 Guest Wed 27 Mar 2013, 7:31 pm

Got to love Fleming getting peed off with Croft moaning about the time rule. Brilliant!

by The Special Juan Wed 27 Mar 2013, 8:23 pm

This is good, attacking tennis from Melzer. Can he keep it up? I don't think so but Daveed hasn't really done much yet so you never know.

by Cogen Wed 27 Mar 2013, 8:39 pm

Ferrer gets one of the breaks back... Come on Melzer!

(I'm only supporting him because far fewer people will have picked Melzer to reach the semis than Ferrer, so I lose less ground in the standings!)

by LuvSports! Wed 27 Mar 2013, 8:40 pm

OHhhh its oooowwwnnnnnnnn cogen

by The Special Juan Wed 27 Mar 2013, 8:43 pm

Daveed's forehand is working well but the backhand has been... shall we say "less than ideal" (as I type this he creams a winner).

by LuvSports! Wed 27 Mar 2013, 8:55 pm

6-4 BOOM!

by Cogen Wed 27 Mar 2013, 8:59 pm

Ferrer is slowly seizing control of the match, winning more and more points.

Melzer did well to serve out the first set from break points down, but I expect Ferrer to slowly grind this one out now.

by LuvSports! Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:06 pm

You could be right cogen, ferrer breaks for 3-1.

by **laverfan** Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:10 pm

Melzer breaks back with a fist pump. Another upset in the making, IMVHO.

by The Special Juan Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:25 pm

Whatever happens in this match, it's been nice to see a bit of the old Jurgen. Hopefully he can keep it up.

by **laverfan** Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:45 pm

Double break for Ferrer, who is slowly pulling away.

by The Special Juan Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:50 pm

Oh dear, the bagel looms for Jurgen.

by ryan86 Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:50 pm

I mentioned it somewhere else, but Melzer played a challenger last week and won it, both match practice and a winning habit. I think that it can be a good thing for those that are ranked in that are ranked circa 50-60, to perhaps occasionally drop down, get a few wins under their belt, because turning up, lose to someone decent and going home can be a bit of a habit.

by The Special Juan Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:54 pm

I remember they said that about Young when he was on that rather painful losing run. I think it's a great idea for players who are top 50 but can't buy a win, such as Jurgen was/is.

by **laverfan** Wed 27 Mar 2013, 9:57 pm

Energiser Bunny wins. Cool

by ryan86 Wed 27 Mar 2013, 10:29 pm

I think I'm right in saying only 2 players reached both the Quarters of here and Indian Wells. (Murray and Berdych).

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:32 am

Haas breaks and will be serving for the set.

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:36 am

...and he serves it out. Haas is one of my favorite players to watch, can really play all court game so well.

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:42 am

Some poor serving from Simon and good play from Haas gives him a break to start the second set.

by Cogen Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:47 am

Haas is just on fire this tournament! He is really exciting to watch.

He lives in Miami, right? Miami is pretty much Murray's second home too. We could be on course for two people who live in Miami in the final?!

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:50 am

Unlike last night, Haas goes two breaks and 3-0 up. I have not realized how good a player around the net he was. Some lovely touch, and pretty consistent today/yesterday.

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:52 am

Cogen wrote:He lives in Miami, right? Miami is pretty much Murray's second home too. We could be on course for two people who live in Miami in the final?!

Yes, I think he does. Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. He has not won today yet, and the next opponent would be Ferrer, who I think would be tough to get through.

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:53 am

...and, not to forget, Andy is not quite yet in the final either. Wink

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 2:55 am

I just so wish there were more players who could succeed with this type of game. I really hope Dimitrov can become a top player or else I will find myself losing some of the interest in the game.

by summerblues Thu 28 Mar 2013, 3:08 am

That was some Cool

demolition job.

With this win, Haas passes Raonic and Kei in the rankings. Which, given their ages, feels like it is going in an odd direction. Maybe if we cannot get youngsters to make it into top 10, we can get an oldie instead.

by Cogen Thu 28 Mar 2013, 3:11 am

Phenomenal from Haas. 6-3 6-1 in just over an hour. It was like he had the ball on a string for most of the match. Ferrer is going to be a step up but he can definitely beat him! Ferrer is essentially a better version of Simon. They are both human backboards who can run all day. Ferrer just has a little more variety and aggression at times.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:48 am

Tommy

At least he didn't make me foolish when I said he has the ability to follow up a great win. If Ferrer plays as badly as he did against Melzer for the first set then Haas has a great chance but I think it's unlikely Ferrer will play like that again this week. It's a tough one to call but I think Haas will win it and reach the final.

As for tonight's matches, Murray should wallop Cilic but the second match is far more intriguing. I can't see Gasquet winning but it will be interesting to see how he plays against Berdbrain.

by lags72 Thu 28 Mar 2013, 8:01 am

LuvSports began a thread recently on who we might be supporting in the future ...... which (if any) of the players currently trying to break through the ranks had caught our eye ........

Personally, I struggled to come up with a name but I think I have one now.

Step forward Tommy Haas Wink

by LuvSports! Thu 28 Mar 2013, 8:14 am

Big up the OAP's! Haas, stepanek, blake!

by **laverfan** Thu 28 Mar 2013, 12:07 pm

Will Haas be the next Agassi or am I just starting a bandwagon based on wishful thinking? (I will get slapped because of this... Run

).

by lags72 Thu 28 Mar 2013, 4:01 pm

Seems like wishful thinking laverfan, I'm tempted to say ....but then again you just never know.

Only around fifty more titles, eight Slams, an Olympic Gold (plus a spell at Number One) to fit in before retirement and he'll be running him close ......

by LuvSports! Thu 28 Mar 2013, 4:06 pm

I dont even think lazarus could have that good a comeback and win 8 slams in a year and he was apparently a pretty handy tennis player with a good wingspan but he approved of a 2 year ranking system picard

by lags72 Thu 28 Mar 2013, 4:15 pm

Indeed LS !

And not just a matter of winning Slams.

To be "the next Agassi" he will need to make sure he wins at least one of each ........ Wink

by kwinigolfer Thu 28 Mar 2013, 6:55 pm

I watched Jankovic playing for 2 1/2 hours to beat Vinci last night. Why did they trot her out again first thing today to play Sharapova - not surprising she lost?
All very well wanting Sharapova and Williams in the final but contorting the schedule with such bias is ridiculous.
Idiots.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:18 pm

How on Earth has he saved 2 of those BPs?

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:19 pm

Cilic scrapes a hold but from 0-40 up Murray must be incredibly annoyed.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:22 pm

Who sticks a blimp above a tennis court? Seriously?

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:23 pm

Cilic breaks after a poor game from Murray. It won't last.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:27 pm

Murray breaks back. What a dreadful match. All UEs.

by **laverfan** Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:33 pm

Consecutive breaks galore. WTA?

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:33 pm

Cilic breaks back. Hmmm. I wonder if the players are having difficulties serving because neither has looked good on serve.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:36 pm

Murray breaks back. Get Li Na v Sharapova on. Two players who always hold serve....

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:41 pm

Murray holds (finally). This next game shall be interesting...

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:45 pm

Cilic holds. Fantastic serve at 30-15 though. He cracked that right at Murray.

by Cogen Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:49 pm

Going to be one of "those matches" isn't it... vomit

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:53 pm

Murray breaks and will serve for the set. Cilic's serve will continue to let him down unless he amends it which is probably far too late to do.

by lydian Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:56 pm

Cilic as usual is too wobbly at top level.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:58 pm

Murray just about takes the set.

by kingraf Thu 28 Mar 2013, 7:59 pm

i have been telling anyone who cares that this year is the year Gasquet becomes a big time player. Would be nice if he triumphs.

4-3 vs Berdych h2h, 3-4 vs Murray. He has a realistic shot to make the final.

Also, any one else think he bulked up this year? He doesnt look like Andreev, but he definitely looks fitter and the bh is sweeter than ever.

by The Special Juan Thu 28 Mar 2013, 8:02 pm

Murray breaks. This has bagel written all over it unless he pulls himself together.

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