Miami Masters update – Quarter Finals

As we move into the business end of this years Miami Masters, the smart money now has to be on Roger Federer to take his first title of the season.

The world No.1 has complained of glandular fever earlier this year, but it looks now as if he has shaken that off, and has not dropped a set in progressing to the quarter finals.

He is set to meet Andy Roddick, and holds a devesating 15-1 head-to-head advantage over the American. I can see Roddick putting up a courageuos fight in front of a home crowd, but I can only see Federer walking out of court no. 1 victorious.

In the second quarter, Nikolay Davydenko takes on Janko Tipsarevic, in their second career meeting (Davydenko won the first comfortably). The 23 year-old Tipsarevic is currently most famous for losing to Roger Federer in five gruelling sets at the Australian Open this year, which definetly did not help the Swiss player when he came up tired against Djokovic later on.

Tipsarevic has been playing perhaps career best tennis here this week, but I do not think it will be enough against Davydenko, who has also come back strongly in Miami following disappointing recent results.

Tomas Berdych plays Igor Andreev in the next quarter final; the two have never played on the main tour, but Andreev leads 4-0 in their meetings in ‘Futures’ tournaments. Andreev was named ‘Comeback Player of the Year’ for last season, and is now ranked 32nd in the world, but I feel that Berdych, who has found his form this week, will have too much firepower off the ground for him to handle.

In the final and most eagerly anticipated quarter, Rafael Nadal takes on James Blake. Nadal acheived his first career win over Blake last week at Indian Wells, and will be hoping to repeat the magic here in Miami. Blake however has his pride at stake, he will not want to be beaten two weeks running in front of home fans, by the same opponent, even one so tough as Nadal.

Murray’s make a mess of Miami

Yesterday was a day to forget to British tennis, as both Murray brothers crashed out in their opening matches.

I had always believed Andy’s chances of beating Mario Ancic to be slim after his lacklustre American hardcourt season so far. The Croatian has been in fantastic form since making his comeback from glandular fever, and it was not a huge shock to see him come through 6-2 2-6 7-6.

Murray was apathy itself in the first set and it was painful to watch such a talented player descend into childish sulking. However one thing Murray will never lose is his will to win, and despite all the mutterings under his breath, the Scot stepped up his game to take the second set. Unfortunately he levelled off again in the third set, and whilst he made a fight of it, Ancic deserved the win that came his way.

It was no better for older brother Jamie, who’s first round loss with Max Mirnyi comes as a much greater surprise, given that they have been in excellent form of late, notching up two wins over the Bryan brothers. The pair went out rather tamely to Frenchmen Marc Gicqeul and Fabrice Santoro 6-4 6-4, a team unlikely to progress far in the tournament.

Maybe now that Jamie has some time off he might be able to find a barbers to cut his ever inflating hair!

Miami Master Series preview

This week will see the second Masters Series event of the year get under way in Miami.

The top two players in the world are yet to win a title this season, and will both be looking to change that here. However Federer has lost the air of invincibility he has been shrouded in for the last three years, whilst more and more opponents seem to be finding ways of hitting through Nadal’s heroic defense.

Novak Djokovic is without a doubt the form player in the world at the moment, and he has an excellent chance of defending the title he claimed here last year. Andy Roddick, who started the season so well, will be hoping to avenge his early loss at Indian Wells by having a good run in Miami, and if he finds his serve there are not many who can stop him.

On the British side of things, both Alex Bogdanovic and Anne Keothavong failed to make it through qualification. A-Bog went out to Serbian Victor Troicki 6-4 3-6 6-1 in the first round, whilst Keothavong made it to the second round before going out to the number four seed Anastasia Rodinova 6-1 3-6 6-3.

So, once again Andy Murray is our only British hope, and the Scot has been handed a very tough draw. He has a bye into the second round, but is likely to find himself up against the in form wildcard Mario Ancic. But, if he make it through that match he will fancy his chances of making it through to the semi-finals, where he could meet Roger Federer.

Djokovic fries Fish to take title

Novak Djokovic ended Mardy Fish’ dream of a first Masters Series title, defeating the plucky American 6-2 5-7 6-3 to clinch the win.

It was the Serb’s third Masters Series title, and not even the most ardent Fish supporter could argue that he did not deserve it, having played the best tennis consistenly all week.

Credit must go to the runner up Fish though, who has now risen 58 places in the rankings. He started the week only just inside the top 100 (98th) but now finds himself 40th, and certainly did not disgrace himself against Djokovic.

Fish started slowly, perhaps fatigued from exertions earlier in the week, and Djokovic broke him twice in the first set to take in comfortably. The world no.3 broke again early in the second and took a 4-2 lead, the situation looking ominous for the American. But showing the kind of courage and determination that has been his calling card at Indian Wells, Fish fought back to break Djokovic twice, winning the set 7-5.

Then came the crucial moment in the match, as ‘The Serbinator’ held off three break points against his serve, serving three aces and two unreturnables to win five straight points to take the game from 0-40. This gave him the impetus he needed, and the very next game he broke Fish and from then on the result never looked in doubt.

All in all, a very exciting weeks tennis, and whilst not quite the emergence of a new star, we are seeing a forgotten one shining bright again.

Fish stuns Federer to meet Djokovic in final

Mardy Fish produced some of the best tennis of his life to win the biggest match of his career so far.

He overwhelmed the world No.1 Roger Federer 6-3 6-2 to progress to his second Masters Series final. The last time he was at this stage, it was at the Cinncinati Masters in 2003, where he lost to Andy Roddick after holding two match points.

Despite having spent six more hours on court this week than the Swiss master, Fish looked the fresher of the two in the opening exchanges, breaking Federer in his first service game. It was the only break he needed to take the first set, and the American went on to break Federer twice more in the second set to wrap up a comfortable victory.

Next up for the flying Fish is world No.3 Novak Djokovic who produced an equally devastating performance to beat Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2. The Serbian went down an early break, but fought back ferociously to break Nadal three times over the match. The Spaniard blamed his poor performance on being tired from gruelling encounters against Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and James Blake.

Djokovic goes into the final a clear favourite, but then, so did all of Fish’ other opponents this week!

Little Fish in the big pond

Mardy Fish will play Roger Federer in the second semi-final at Indian Wells.

The American booked himself a place in the second semi-final with an outstanding victory over David Nalbandian 6-3 6-7 7-6, in what is one of the best result of his career so far.

In a tight match that could have gone either way, it was Fish’ devastating serving that kept Nalbandian constantly on the back foot. It also ends the Argentines hopes of historic hat-trick of Masters Series titles, and is his first defeat in 19 Masters Series matches.

Roger Federer had a much simpler passage into the semi’s, as his opponent Tommy Haas had to withdraw. The German was struck down with a sinus infection, and it means that Federer is in the semi’s having played only six sets.

This lack of match practice could potentially be a stumbling block for the world No.1, as he will need to be at his sharpest to overcome Fish’ powerful serve.

Semi-Final Draw

R.Federer (1) vs. M.Fish; N.Djokovic (3) vs. R.Nadal (2)

Rafa rocks Indian Wells

Just when you thought he might be fading, after all he has not won a tournament since July, Rafael Nadal showed us why he’s catching Federer at the top.

Two emotional, gutsy and ferocious wins over Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and James Blake have catapulted the young Spanish matador back into the public eye, where he undoubtedly belongs.

There are few more inspiring sights to be found on a tennis court than Nadal in battle mode. By all rights he should have lost to Tsonga, 2-5 down in the final set, with the Frenchman hitting bombs, things did not look good for him. But showing a fighting spirit that is above and beyond any other player in the top 20 (including Federer), he dragged himself back from the brink, reeling of five straight games to win the match 6-7 7-6 7-5.

Then the very next day he was back on the court, this time to end the hopes of American James Blake 7-5 3-6 6-3. Next up for Rafa is the formidable Novak Djokovic who has cruised into the semifinals without dropping a set. A match not to be missed for any fan.

In the other half of the draw, the two quarter finals have some unexpected participants. Tommy Haas, former world no.2 has surprised everyone, and probably himself in getting there. The German has beaten Andy Roddick, Fernando Verdasco, and Andy Murray to get there, so you can’t say he does not deserve it.

After a shocking opening set against Murray, he clicked into gear and from then on was simply too good for the young Brit, winning it 2-6 7-5 6-3. Next up for Haas is Roger Federer, who like Djokovic, has not dropped a set so far, nor looked like dropping one.

The other surprise package this week has been American Mardy Fish, who is keeping the home fans hopes alive. Fish has notably beaten Nikolay Davydenko and Lleyton Hewitt to get into the quarters, where he now faces David Nalbandian, who beat Juan Carlos Ferrero comfortably 6-2 6-2 to get there. My money is predictably on a Federer-Nalbandian semi final, but Haas and Fish have both proved that they are capable of upsetting the very best.

Elsewhere it was defeat for the other Murray brother, as Jamie went out of the doubles at the semi-final stage. With new partner Max Mirnyi, they defeated number one seeds the Bryan brothers, but could not get past Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram who beat them 6-3 6-4.

All eyes on centre court for Super Rafa vs. Super Nole (Djokovic’s nickname!)

Indian Wells update

Its third round time here at the Pacific Life Open, and we have seen some interesting results already, none more so than Andy Roddicks early departure.

The American No.1, who has been in blistering form of late, was routinely beaten by Tommy Haas 6-4 6-4 in a shock result.

Roddick, who was expected to challenge for his third title in a row, was comfortably dispatched by Haas, the former world No.2, in their second round clash. The German now goes on to play Fernando Verdasco, who overcame a spirited challenge by Victor Hanescu, to progress to the third round.

Elsewhere, Andy Murray came through unscathed over Jurgen Melzer (3-6 6-3 6-3), and now meets 6ft 10inch Ivo Karlovic for a place in the fourth round. All the big guns moved into the third round with ease, Roger Federer looking particularly intense, as he calmly dismantled Guillermo Garcia-Lopez’s best game 6-3 6-2.

Perhaps the most interesting result so far has been the emergence (finally) of the young American Donald Young. The 18 year-old, who was heralded by the American press (and notably John McEnroe) as being their next great tennis hope, beat compatriot Bobby Reynolds, before defeating the number 32 seed Feliciano Lopez. However he now faces the toughest test of his blossoming career, as he squares off against Rafael Nadal, in what is sure to be a fascinating encounter.

3rd round matches in full:

Top Half: R.Federer (1) vs. N.Mahut; I.Ljubicic (23) vs. T.Robredo (15); A.Murray (11) vs. I.Karlovic (20); F.Verdaso (30) vs. T.Haas; N.Davydenko (4) vs. M.Fish; L.Hewitt (24) vs. M.Youzhny (18); M.Ancic vs. J.C.Ferrero (22); R.Stepanek (28 ) vs. D.Nalbandian (7)

Bottom Half:D.Ferrer (6) vs. H.Lee; M.Bagdahtis (18 ) vs. S.Wawrinka; G.Canas (16) vs. J.Monaco (21); P.Kohlschreiber (27) vs. N Djokovic (3); R.Gasquet (8 ) vs. J.Chela (28); C.Moya (19) vs. J.Blake (8); P.Mathieu (14) vs. J.Tsonga (17); D.Young vs. R.Nadal (2)

Indian Wells Masters Series preview

So we come to the first Masters Series event of the year, always an exciting time, and this year even more so, now that it appears Roger Federer is human after all.

The world No.1 has not made his usual perfect start to the year, losing to Novak Djokovic at the Austrailian Open, and then being dumped out of the Dubai Open unceremoniously by our own Andy Murray.

Some believe this will spark the decline of Federer, but there are those (myself included) who believe that he will come back stronger than ever, and that is why he is my pick for the tournament. I just cant see that his pride will let him be beaten once again.

Elsewhere in the exceptionally strong draw, which can be viewed here, Novak Djokovic and defending champion Rafael Nadal will both fancy their chances, and could find themselves up against one another if they make it to the semi’s. If that happens, I would fancy Nadal to edge it; the courts have a high bounce, and the Spaniard’s extravagant topspin forehand will simply be too high for Djokovic to handle.

Flamboyant Frenchman Richard Gasquet has said that he likes the courts at Indian Wells, and with his explosive backhand, he could be a force this week. Gasquet has a relatively easy path to the quarter finals, where he could meet Nadal, who he has not beaten in four meetings.

Andy Murray has been playing well by and large this year, but the Scot has a tough draw. He is likely to face the huge serving Ivo Karlovic in the third round, and then the equally huge serving and in form Andy Roddick in the next. Then if the British number 1 can make it through all of that, he will probably find himself up against Roger Federer. No problem then Andy.

Elsewhere his older brother Jamie is in doubles action with the Beast from Belarus, Max Mirnyi. The pair have played well since coming together at the start of this season, and could be an outside shout for the title this week.

Let play commence!

Bad news for the Brits

Katie O’Brien, Anne Keothavong, Jamie Baker and Alex Bogdanovic have all crashed out of the qualifying for the Indian Wells Masters Series event.

All four Britons were in action in the build up to the main tournament but none could make it through to the main draw to join Andy Murray. O’Brien went out to Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 4-6 4-6 in her second round match, while Keothavong lost to No 10 seed in the qualifying draw, Russian Galina Voskoboeva, 5-7 6-0 1-6.

It was even worse for Bogdanovic and Baker who both lost in their first round matches. ‘A-Bog’ lost against the world No 126, Japanese Kel Nishikori , 4-6 6-4 5-7, while Baker lost against the world No 97, Frenchman Florent Serra, 6-7(7) 1-6.

All British interest is not lost yet however, as both Murray brothers are in action, with Jamie partnering Max Mirnyi once again in the doubles.

The qualifying draw can be viewed here.

Mens Singles

Womens Singles