Tennis News

For the first time on the ATP World Tour, an interesting encounter between Grigor Dimitrov and John Isner is scheduled to take place in the third round of the Miami Open on Monday. Given that this their first ever career meeting, it will be interesting to see who prevails at this Masters 1000 event.

Follow the match Live Here: Isner vs Dimitrov Miami Live Streaming

Seeded ninth at the Miami Open, Grigor Dimitrov defeated Canadian No. 2 Vasek Pospisil in straight sets to secure his opening win at the tournament. Following his less than stellar outing at Indian Wells, his 6-2, 6-2 win over Vasek was a much better display. He won 91% of his first service points and converted all four of his break point opportunities to close out the match in exactly 59 minutes.

In a similarly straightforward affair, John Isner defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets to earn his place in the third round of the tournament. He struck a timid seven aces, won 96% of his first service points and converted both the break points he earned to close out the match 6-3, 6-4 in 61 minutes. Given that he is coming off his best showing at Indian Wells, it will be interesting to see if the American can pull off a similar showing in Miami.

Article Continues Below Ad

“I knew it was a match I needed to be focused for,” said Isner. “I needed to come out ready to play, because he’s a talented, very talented kid. Anything can happen. It was a tough match, but I played pretty well. I did what I needed to do.”

This is set to be the first time that Isner and Dimitrov will meet on the ATP World Tour. Given that both have had comfortable outings so far in Miami, it is difficult to gauge who will have the advantage but this is likely a match that will require a deciding set to crown a victor.

Prediction: Grigor Dimitrov in Three Sets

An all-Spanish third round match is scheduled to take place on Sunday afternoon in Miami, as Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco cross paths for a 16th time on the professional tour. Nadal leads the head-to-head series 14-1 and will look to renew the rivalry for the first time since 2012.

Follow the match Live Here: Nadal vs Verdasco Miami Live Streaming

The world No. 3 began his campaign in Miami with a straight sets victory over Nicolas Almagro. He needed one hour and 29 minutes to defeat his fellow countryman 6-4, 6-2 and secure his spot in the third round against another Spaniard. Given that the weather did not help, he was happy with his performance overall.

“In general, I think I played a solid match,” he said after braving extreme wind gusts. “I played well. I had good movement. I had to put the balls in and play with no mistakes; that was the idea today with very tough conditions. Almagro was not an easy opponent for the first round. I am happy for that.”

Article Continues Below Ad

Nadal will come up against Fernando Verdasco, who needed three sets to get past Australian qualifier James Duckworth. He rallied from a set down to beat Duckworth 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and 47 minutes. The Spaniard struck three aces, won 78% of his first service points and converted four breaks en route to victory. He will now go on to challenge the top player out of his home nation.

This marks the s16th time that Nadal and Verdasco will cross paths on the ATP World Tour, with Nadal leading the head-to-head series 14-1. Their last meeting took place three years ago in Madrid, which also happened to be the only time that Verdasco was able to topple the former No. 1. That is unlikely to be the case this time around, although Nadal could be forced to contest a deciding set.

Prediction: Rafael Nadal in Three Sets

Following an entertaining pair of matches over the past few days, a riveting all-American third round encounter between world No. 1 Serena Williams and 15-year-old Catherine Bellis on Sunday afternoon in Miami. This marks the first time that these two competitors will cross paths on the professional tour and should make for an enthralling affair.

Watch the match Live Here: Williams vs Bellis Miami Live Streaming

The world No. 1 began her Miami campaign against Monica Niculescu, whom she faced in her first match back at Indian Wells two weeks ago. This time, however, it was an easier encounter overall, as she cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

“It was definitely easier today than last time,” Williams said of playing Niculescu. “I knew what to expect. I still got a little bit frustrated today, but overall was able to stay calm more than last time. “I don’t think I had that many unforced errors compared to when we played at Indian Wells.”

Article Continues Below Ad

Williams will now come up against 15-year-old CiCi Bellis, who defeated Zarina Diyas in straight sets 6-2, 6-1 to secure her spot in the third round. Following her impressive rise to fame at last year’s US Open, all eyes will be on the teenager to see if she can recreate some of that magic in Miami.

“It’s going to be really fun,” Bellis, the youngest player in the Miami Open draw, said. “I have nothing to lose, so I’m just going to play my game and see what happens.”

This marks the first time that these two competitors will cross paths on the WTA tour and could make for an enthralling affair. CiCi has made it clear that she has nothing to lose, and while she may not pose a threat to Williams on paper, she could certainly make this an interesting match.

Prediction: Serena Williams in Straight Sets

An all-French third round berth is scheduled to take place on Sunday afternoon in Miami, as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils will meet for a sixth time on the professional tour. Tsonga leads the head-to-head series 4-1 and will look to continue his comeback with a win over his countryman.

Watch the match Live Here: Tsonga vs Monfils Miami Live Streaming

The Frenchman began his 2015 season with a successful comeback match against Tim Smyczek, whom he defeated in three sets to secure his spot in the third round of the tournament. Tsonga hit 11 aces and broke serve twice, including a decisive one in the final set, to close out the match in one hour and 51 minutes. It wasn’t the prettiest match but it was certainly an achievement considering the long layoff and he was clearly satisfied with the outcome nonetheless.

“I played pretty solid. I just had a little hole in the second set. But, it’s normal when I haven’t played in a couple of months now. I hope it’s going to be better and better, but for the first match it was already something good for me.”

Article Continues Below Ad

His opponent, Gale Monfils, rallied from a set down to earn a place in the third round of the Miami Open. He defeated Croatia’s Filip Krajinovic 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). The Frenchman hit four aces, 69% of his first service points and converted four break points to secure the win in one hour and 58 minutes.

Tsonga and Monfils will now meet for the sixth time on the ATP World Tour, with Tsonga leading the head-to-head series 4-1. He also won their last two consecutive meetings dating back to 2012. However, given his long layoff and rusty showing early on, this is a difficult match to predict. It is quite possible that Monfils could pull off the upset if Tsonga is not able to rely on his full strength.

Prediction: Gael Monfils in Three Sets

Check out some products in our Online Tennis Shop

British No. 1 Andy Murray and surging Colombian Santiago Giraldo will meet in the third round of the Mutua Madrid Masters in what should be a fascinating contest. This marks the third time they meet on the professional tour, with Murray remaining ahead in the head-to-head series with a 2-1 record. While that amy be the case, this will likely be their most competitive battle yet.

You can watch the match Live Here: Murray vs Giraldo Miami Open Live Stream

The two-time Miami champion began his campaign against Donald Young, who he defeated 6-4, 6-2 to cruise into the third round of the tournament. It was a standard match from Murray, who won 76% of his first service points and converted four break points for secure the win in one hour and 22 minutes.

“I played well against him the last couple of times,” Murray said. “Obviously today was a very different match to Davis Cup; completely different conditions. The tactics that you go into the match with completely change because of the weather and the wind.

Article Continues Below Ad

“Sometimes it can be ridiculously hot, and that [means] managing the points and your emotions and your physical condition. Today it was just very tough weather to play good tennis in. I just tried to play smart, and it worked.”

The Briton will come up against Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo, who beat Robin Haase in the second round 6-2, 3-6, 6-0 to secure his spot in the third round of the tournament.

This marks the fourth time that Murray and Giraldo will cross paths on the ATP World Tour, with all their previous meetings taking place on clay. To add to the intrigue, the Colombian won their last encounter at the Madrid Masters last year, which is a loss that Murray will want to avenge. Given that the Briton is the superior hard court competitor, this should be a straightforward meeting.

Prediction: Andy Murray in Straight Sets

Check out this awesome virtual game: Tennis Competition

Following five career meetings that all took place within the past 12 months, Ana Ivanovic and Sabine Lisicki will cross paths once again for a sixth time on the WTA tour when they meet in the third round of the Miami Open on Sunday. Ivanovic leads the head-to-head series 4-1.

Watch the match Live Here: Ivanovic vs Lisicki Miami Live Streaming

The Serbian No. 1 looked like she was en route to a quick straight sets victory when she jumped to a 7-5, 5-2 lead against American qualifier Irina Falconi, but she was then faced with some resistance and was unable to close out the match until two hours and 35 minutes on the clock, when she finally downed her 7-5, 6-7(4), 6-3.

“The tournament is great,” she said. “Also the city is beautiful. We have so much sunshine and the beach, and this is the lifestyle I enjoy. I’ve been trying to use that for some relaxing down time. It’s growing. There’s so much more awareness about this event. And there are a lot of fans coming out – that’s great to see.”

Article Continues Below Ad

Ivanovic will come up against Sabine Lisicki, who also needed three sets to get past her opponent Julia Goerges. She defeated her fellow German 7-691), 6-7(5), 6-4 to reach the third round of the tournament. Lisicki struck five aces, wo 77% of her first service points and converted five break points to earn the victory in two hours and 45 minutes.

This marks the sixth time that Lisicki and Ivanovic will cross paths on the professional tour, with the Serb leading the head-to-head series 4-1. They recently met in Dubai, where Ivanovic thrashed the German 6-0, 6-3 to secure the win. Given that all four of her wins have come in straight sets, Invanovic will likely continue that trend this time around in Miami.

Prediction: Ana Ivanovic in Straight Sets

Follow other matches Here: Miami Open Live Tennis Scores