Tennis News

An all-Spanish match-up is scheduled to take place Friday afternoon, as world No. 3 Rafael Nadal and Nicolas Almagro meet for a spot in the third round in Miami. This is a particularly intriguing match-up, as Nadal lost to Almagro for the first time in his career in their last meeting in Barcelona last season. Nadal holds a 10-1 record in the head-to-head series against Almagro and will be keen to add to that number on Friday.

You can follow the match Live Here: Nadal vs Almagro Live Streaming

While Nadal arrived in Miami ready to complete, a sudden twist of fate led to the Spaniard taking a serious fall during one of his practice sessions and turned his left ankle. It was initially believed that he would not be fit to compete, but he informed the Associated Press on Tuesday that he was perfectly fit to perform on Friday.

“It’s for sure I’m going to be on court on Friday,” Nadal told the Associated Press on Tuesday. “The thing is, I don’t know how well I’m going to be prepared for then. I hope to be ready. It’s an important tournament for me.”

Article Continues Below Ad

With the injury woe somewhat behind him, Nadal hopes to win his first career title in Miami. Following an opening round loss in Doha to kick off the season, Nadal reached the quarter-final in Melbourne, the semi-final in Rio, and won Buenos Aires before recently losing to Milos Raonic in the Indian Wells quarter-final.

World No. 74 Almagro needed three sets to set up the second round clash with Nadal. He defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky in three sets to secure his spot in the tournament on Friday. He hit 16 aces to win the match 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-4 in two hours and 20 minutes.

This marks the 12th time these two competitors will clash on the ATP World Tour, with Nadal holding an solid 10-1 record against Almagro. The record includes an 8-0 clay court record, including ones in Barcelona and Acapulco in 2013. However, Almagro shocked the tennis community last season when he rallied from a set down to beat Nadal in the decider of the Barcelona quarter-final. Given that Nadal was far from his best at the time, this encounter should be far different to that memorable affair last October.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal in Straight Sets

See all the matches Live Here: Miami Open Live Coverage

For the first time this season, French No. 1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will step out on court to play a match on the ATP World Tour. Following an injury plagued few months, the Frenchman will begin his Miami campaign against Tim Smyczek, whom he has never encountered previously on the professional tour. Their match will headline the night session on Friday evening.

You can follow the match Live Here: Tsonga vs Smyczek Live Streaming

The tournament’s 11th seed has been dealing with arm pain as far back as the Cincinnati Masters event and ahead of the US Open. He would go on to play up until the end of the season at the Davis Cup final against Switzerland. By then, he was far from peak form.

Now, however, Tsonga plans to make a comeback and is inspired by other Top 10 players who have passed their 30th birthday.

Article Continues Below Ad

“When I see players like [David] Ferrer and [Roger] Federer and others, they are able to play really good tennis,” he told ATPWorldTour.com on Monday. “I hope my best tennis will come this year.”

“I don’t have big expectations for this tournament,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back on the court. The only thing I expect is to play my best tennis in the moment and that’s it.”

The Frenchman will begin his week in Miami against Tim Smyczek, who rallied from a set down to defeat qualifier Adrian Menendez-MacEiras 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. He struck seven aces, won 77% of his first service points and saved three break points to close out the match in one hour and 52 minutes.

This marks the first time that Tsonga and Smyczek will cross paths on the professional tour, and considering the Frenchman has been away from the tour for a while, it is difficult to gauge his ability this time around.

Prediction: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Three Sets