Murray, Nishikori Feature In Miami Play On Monday

Posted: Mar 28, 2016

Murray, Nishikori Feature In Miami Play On Monday

Leading ATP World Tour stars look to advance at Crandon Park

DAY 6 PREVIEW: Third round action at the Miami Open presented by Itau continues on Monday with eight matches from the bottom half of the draw. World No. 2 and two-time champion Andy Murray, No. 6 Kei Nishikori, No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and No. 12 Milos Raonic headline the order of play.

In the third match on Stadium, No. 2 Murray, champion in 2009 (d. Djokovic) and 2013 (d. Ferrer) and finalist in 2012 and 2015 (l. both to Djokovic), faces No. 26 seed Grigor Dimitrov for the 9th time. Murray leads 6-2 in their head-to-heads, winning the last three meetings. Dimitrov, who is 10-42 vs. Top 10 opponents (1-11 vs. Top 2), is trying to post his first Top 10 win since Madrid in May 2015 (d. No. 9 Wawrinka). This is the first time Murray has played in Miami ranked No. 2. He is bidding to reach his fourth final here in five years, to win his 12th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and his first title since becoming a father to daughter Sophia Olivia on February 7.

Next up on Stadium, No. 16 seed Gael Monfils takes on No. 23 seed Pablo Cuevas for the third time (Monfils leads 2-0). The Frenchman will match his career-best run in Miami with a victory, having reached the fourth round on three previous occasions dating back to his 2005 debut, as well as 2009 and last year. Cuevas has enjoyed a strong 14-4 start to 2016 as the Uruguayan completed a Brazilian double with title wins in Rio de Janeiro (d. Pella) and Sao Paulo (d. Carreno Busta) and left South America with an 11-1 record on clay.

In the evening session, No. 22 seed Jack Sock, the highest-ranked of two Americans left in the draw, takes on Canadian Milos Raonic, who has a 6-1 head-to-head lead against the 23-year-old. Since losing their first encounter, Raonic, the No. 12 seed, has claimed six consecutive wins against Sock, including five in 2014. Raonic is off to a career-best 14-2 start in 2016, including his 8th career title in Brisbane (d. Federer). He also reached his third career ATP Masters 1000 final in Indian Wells. Sock has also impressed early this year, reaching the Auckland final (retired with illness vs Bautista Agut) and reaching a career-high ranking of No. 22 on Jan. 18. The duo have not faced each other since the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris 2R, in October 2014.

In the day’s first match on Grandstand, Nishikori takes a 3-0 head-to-head record into his showdown with No. 27 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov followed by Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut’s match with No. 9 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – a rematch of the Auckland semi-final where the Frenchman lost after holding match point against the eventual champion (d. Sock), who also triumphed in Sofia (d. Troicki). Qualifier Tim Smyczek, fresh from his career-best three-set win over top American, World No. 13 John Isner, faces No. 24 seed and tournament debutant Nick Kyrgios. Smyczek won the previous ATP World Tour meeting in Memphis in 2014 (and ’13 Sacramento Ch.).

At least two unseeded players are guaranteed to appear in the bottom half of the fourth round draw, as Damir Dzumhur follows up his victory over Rafael Nadal with a showdown against qualifier Mikhail Kukushkin in Monday’s last match on Grandstand, while the second match on Court 1 features Frenchman Adrian Mannarino and Russian Andrey Kuznetsov in a first-time meeting.

DAY 6 FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

STADIUM

[26] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) vs [2] Andy Murray (GBR) Murray Leads 6-2
11 Bangkok (Thailand) Hard QF Andy Murray 6-4 6-4
13 Brisbane (Australia) Hard F Andy Murray 7-6 6-4
13 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Andy Murray 7-6(3) 6-3
14 Acapulco (Mexico) Hard SF Grigor Dimitrov 4-6 7-6(5) 7-6(3)
14 Wimbledon (Great Britain) Grass QF Grigor Dimitrov 6-1 7-6(4) 6-2
14 ATP Masters 1000 Paris (France) Hard R16 Andy Murray 6-3 6-3
15 Australian Open Hard R16 Andy Murray 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 7-5
15 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (U.S.A.) Hard R16 Andy Murray 4-6 7-6(3) 7-5

Dimitrov 2016 FastFacts:
F: Sydney (l Troicki); SF: Delray Beach (l Ram); QF(2): Brisbane (l Federer); Acapulco (l Thiem)
YTD W-L: 13-6 (13-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: May 16, 1991
Emirates ATP Ranking: 28
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 7-5 (4R – 2012)

• The 24-year-old Bulgarian is making his 6th straight Miami appearance and looking to reach 4R for first time since 2012. Reached 3R with 76(8) 46 64 win over Delbonis (1R bye) on Saturday. Made debut in 2011 as a qualifier (l. to Stakhovsky in 1R). Following year reached 4R (d. No. 7 Berdych in 3R, l. to No. 9 Tipsarevic). Last year lost to Isner in 3R.
• Comes in with a 13-6 match record on season. Held 1 MP in Sydney final before falling to Troicki 76 in 3rd set in 2nd week of year
• Advanced to SFs at Delray Beach (l. to Ram) and QFs at Brisbane (l. to No. 3 Federer) and Acapulco (l. to eventual champion Thiem)
• Reached Australian Open 3R (l. to No. 3 Federer)
• Won 2+ matches at first 5 tournaments during 1st 2 months of 2016 season. His lone opening round loss came at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to A. Zverev)
• Arrives with 10-42 record against top-10 opposition, 0-2 in 2016 (l .to No. 3 Federer at Brisbane QF and Australian Open 3R). Looking to break 7-match losing streak since last Top 10 win at ATP Masters 1000 Madrid in May 2015 (3R d. No. 9 Wawrinka). Has 1-11 mark vs. Top 2 foes with lone win over No. 1 Djokovic at 2013 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid 2R

Murray 2016 FastFacts:
F: Australian Open (l Djokovic)
YTD W-L: 10-2 (10-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 35
Date of Birth: May 15, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 2
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 28-8 (Winner – 2009, ’13)

• The 28-year-old Scot comes into Miami ranked No. 2 for the first time. Improved career record to 28-8 with 63 75 win over Istomin on Saturday. Last year advanced to his 4th final, losing to Djokovic 76 46 60
• Won 1st title in 2009 with three straight Top 10 wins (d. No. 9 Verdasco in QF, No. 7 del Potro in SF and No. 3 Djokovic in F) and won 2nd title in 2013 (d. No. 10 Gasquet in SF, No. 5 Ferrer in F-saved 1 M.P.). Also runner-up in 2012 (l. to No. 1 Djokovic)
• Made his debut in 2006 and lost in 1R to Wawrinka
• In January, fell to 0-5 in Australian Open finals with 4th championship match loss to No. 1 Djokovic
• With older brother Jamie, became 1st brothers in Open Era to reach singles and doubles finals at same major. Jamie will become new No. 1 in Emirates ATP Doubles Rankings after tournament on April 4
• Improved to 20-7 lifetime in 5-set matches with wins over Raonic in Australian Open SF and No. 6 Nishikori in Davis Cup 1R
• Extended Davis Cup win streak to 14 matches with 3 victories to lead Great Britain past Japan 3-1
• In 1st tournament back as a father in Indian Wells, lost in 3R (l. to Delbonis)
• Daughter, Sophia Olivia, born on February 7 (top four players are all fathers)

Gael Monfils (FRA) vs [23] Pablo Cuevas (URU) Monfils Leads 2-0
08 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard R128 Gael Monfils 6-4 6-4 6-1
15 Roland Garros (France) Clay R32 Gael Monfils 4-6 7-6(1) 3-6 6-4 6-3

Monfils 2016 FastFacts:
F: Rotterdam (l Klizan); QF(2): Australian Open (l Raonic); ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (Raonic)
YTD W-L: 13-4 (12-4 on hard, 1-0 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 5
Date of Birth: September 1, 1986
Emirates ATP Ranking: 16
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 10-8 (4R – 2005, ’09, ‘15)

• The 29-year-old Frenchman is making his 9th tournament appearance since 2005, when he reached 4R on debut (l. to Hrbaty), matching career-best run in 2009 (l. to Roddick) and last year (l. to Berdych). Reached 3R with 63 62 win over qualifier Ito (1R bye). One of 7 Frenchmen to reach 3R
• Advanced to 1st Australian Open QF in 11th appearance (l. to Raonic)
• Fell to 5-18 in ATP World Tour finals with loss to Klizan in Rotterdam championship match
• Won 8th straight Davis Cup match to open France’s 5-0 sweep of Canada in 1R (d. Dancevic)
• Withdrew from Marseille due to right leg injury

Cuevas 2016 FastFacts:
W(2): Rio de Janeiro (d Pella); Sao Paulo (d Carreno Busta); QF: Buenos Aires (l Ferrer)
YTD W-L: 14-4 (3-3 on hard, 11-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 2 / Career Titles: 5
Date of Birth: January 1, 1986
Emirates ATP Ranking: 25
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-4 (3R – 2011, ’16)

• The 30-year-old Uruguayan has reached 3R in Miami for 2nd time in his 5th tournament appearance, having matched his 2011 run (2R d. No. 8 Roddick, l. to Simon). Reached 3R with 75 64 win over Millman (1R bye)
• Earned 9 straight wins on clay courts of Brazil, sweeping 4th and 5th career ATP World Tour titles at Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Has 11-1 on clay this season (3-3 on hard courts)
• Captured 1st ATP World Tour 500 championship of career at Rio de Janeiro, becoming 1st player to beat only lefties en route to a title (d. Bagnis, Monteiro, Delbonis, No. 5 Nadal and Pella)
• Followed by beating Bagnis, Monteiro, Lajovic and Carreño Busta for 2nd straight São Paulo crown
• Owns 10-1 record against left-handed players and 4-3 record against right-handed players in 2016
• Earned 1st Australian Open singles win in 4th appearance (d. Nishioka, l. to Kyrgios in 2R)
• Reached Australian Open doubles SF w/Granollers (d. Dodig/Melo and Pospisil/Sock, l. to Nestor/Stepanek)

[22] Jack Sock (USA) vs [12] Milos Raonic (CAN) Raonic Leads 6-1
13 Memphis (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Jack Sock 6-3 5-7 7-5
13 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (U.S.A.) Hard R64 Milos Raonic 3-6 6-4 6-3
14 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (U.S.A.) Hard R64 Milos Raonic 3-6 6-4 6-3
14 Wimbledon (Great Britain) Grass R64 Milos Raonic 6-3 6-4 6-4
14 Washington (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Milos Raonic 7-6(3) 7-6(3)
14 ATP Masters 1000 Toronto (Canada) Hard R32 Milos Raonic 4-6 7-6(2) 7-6(4)
14 ATP Masters 1000 Paris (France) Hard R32 Milos Raonic 6-3 5-7 7-6(4)

Sock 2016 FastFacts:
F: Auckland (l Bautista Agut)
YTD W-L: 7-5 (7-3 on hard, 0-1 on clay, 0-1 on grass)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: September 24, 1992
Emirates ATP Ranking: 24
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-3 (3R – 2015-16)

• The 23-year-old American is making his 4th Miami appearance and has matched last year’s personal-best 3R (d. Soeda, Fognini, l. to Thiem). Two years ago qualified (l. to No. 12 Raonic in 2R). Reached 3R with 62 32 ret. win over Stakhovsky (1R bye)
• Opened season by retiring with illness in Auckland final when he trailed Bautista Agut 61 1-0. Beat frequent doubles partner Pospisil, No. 12 Anderson and No. 8 Ferrer en route to final, snapping 9-match losing streak vs. Top 10 opponents
• Achieved career-high No. 22 in Emirates ATP Rankings on January 18
• Played and won 1st 5-set match of career in Australian Open 1R (d. Fritz, l. to Rosol in 2R)
• Suffered 1st Davis Cup loss of career to Tomic (USA d. AUS 3-1 in 1R)
• Withdrew from Buenos Aires due to illness
• Reached doubles final at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells w/Pospisil (l. to Herbert/Mahut)

Raonic 2016 FastFacts:
W: Brisbane (d Federer); F: ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l Djokovic); SF: Australian Open (l Murray)
YTD W-L: 15-2 (15-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 8
Date of Birth: December 27, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 12
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 8-3 (QF – 2014)

• The 25-year-old Canadian is making his 6th straight Miami appearance and his best result is QF two years ago (l. to No. 1 Nadal in three sets). Last year lost in 4R (l. to Isner). In 2012-13, after a bye, won a round before pulling out of 3R match due to injury both times (gave W/O). Beat Kudla 76(4) 64 in 2R on Saturday (1R bye)
• Comes in with a career-best 15-2 start after winning 1st 9 matches of 2016 season, highlighted by 8th career ATP World Tour title at Brisbane (d. No. 3 Federer). Victory over Federer avenged loss to Swiss in 2015 Brisbane final
• Upset No. 4 Wawrinka in 5 sets en route to 2nd Grand Slam SF at Australian Open (l. to No. 2 Murray in 5 sets). Suffered adductor injury in that match
• Returned at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells in first singles match since Jan. 29 after W/D from Delray Beach, Acapulco and Davis Cup 1R
• Reached 3rd career ATP Masters 1000 final and lost to No. 1 Djokovic in final

GRANDSTAND

[6] Kei Nishikori (JPN) vs [27] Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) Nishikori Leads 3-0
11 ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai (China) Hard QF Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-3
13 Brisbane (Australia) Hard QF Kei Nishikori 6-4 7-6(3)
15 Acapulco (Mexico) Hard QF Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-4

Nishikori 2016 FastFacts:
W: Memphis (d Fritz); QF(3): Brisbane (l Tomic); Australian Open (l Djokovic); ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l Nadal)
YTD W-L: 15-5 (15-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 11
Date of Birth: December 29, 1989
Emirates ATP Ranking: 6
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 13-5 (SF – 2014)

• The 26-year-old Japanese star is making his 7th appearance and owns a 13-5 record, reaching SF two years ago (W/O vs. Djokovic after wins over No. 4 Ferrer in 4R & No. 5 Federer in QF). In opening match on Saturday, beat French qualifier Herbert 62 76(4) to reach 3R (1R bye). Last year reached QF (l. to Isner). Also 4R in 2012 (l. to No. 2 Nadal) & ’13 (l. to No. 5 Ferrer). Has 3 Top 5 losses
• In last tournament at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, reached QF (l. to Nadal)
• In February, earned 4th straight Memphis title, extended win streak at event to 17 matches (d. Fritz)
• Advanced to 3rd Australian Open QF of career (d. No. 10 Tsonga, l. to No. 1 Djokovic)
• Beat Evans before falling to No. 2 Murray in 5 sets, snapping 12-match Davis Cup win streak (GBR d. JPN 3-1)
• Reached Brisbane QF (l. to Tomic) and Acapulco 2R (l. to Querrey)

Dolgopolov 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Acapulco (l Tomic); QF(2): Sydney (l Dimitrov), Rio de Janeiro (l Nadal)
YTD W-L: 10-5 (8-4 on hard, 2-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: November 7, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 29
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 11-5 (QF – 2014)

• The 27-year-old Ukrainian is making his 6th straight tournament appearance (11-5 record) and on Saturday beat Seppi 64 64 in 2R (1R bye). Has never lost his opening match (6-0). Reached QF in 2014 (4R d. No. 3 Wawrinka, QF l. to No. 7 Berdych) and aiming to reach 4R for fourth time (also debut 2011, l. to No. 1 Nadal, and 2015, l. to No. 1 Djokovic)
• Defeated No. 8 Ferrer en route to Acapulco SF (l. to Tomic in 3 sets)
• Began season by reaching Sydney QF (l. to Dimitrov in 3 sets)
• Fell to 9-37 lifetime against Top 10 players with loss to No. 10 Gasquet in ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 3R
• Conceded walkover in Rio de Janeiro QF vs. Nadal due to right shoulder injury
• Has a 9-37 career record against top-10 opposition, 1-2 in 2016 (d. No. 8 Ferrer at Acapulco 2R)

[17] Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) vs [9] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) Tsonga Leads 2-1
15 ATP Masters 1000 Montreal (Canada) Hard R32 J-W Tsonga 5-7 7-6(6) 7-5
15 ATP Masters 1000 Paris (France) Hard R32 J-W Tsonga 6-2 6-2
16 Auckland (New Zealand) Hard SF R Bautista Agut 3-6 7-6(3) 6-4

Bautista Agut 2016 FastFacts:
W (2): Auckland (d Sock), Sofia (d Troicki); QF(3): Chennai (l Coric); Rotterdam (l Klizan), Dubai (l Baghdatis)
YTD W-L: 17-5 (17-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 2 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: April 14, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 18
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-4 (3R – 2014, ’16)

• The 27-year-old Spaniard is making his 5th straight appearance in Miami and has matched his best result, also reaching 3R in 2014 (l. to Fognini). Reached 3R with 75 22 ret. win over Bedene (1R bye)
• Captured 3rd and 4th titles respectively at Auckland (d. Sock) and Sofia (d. Troicki)
• Saved 1 MP to beat No. 10 Tsonga in Auckland SF, snapping 17-match losing streak to Top 10 opponents
• Advanced to Australian Open 4R for 2nd time (d. Cilic, l. to No. 6 Berdych in 5 sets)
• Reached QFs at Chennai (l. to Coric 76 in 3rd), Rotterdam (l. to Klizan after holding 5 MPs) and Dubai (l. to Baghdatis)
• Fell to countryman Lopez 76(5) 67(1) 64 after 3 hrs, 16 mins in ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 3R
• Has a 4-24 career record against top-10 opponents, 1-1 in 2016 (d. No. 10 Tsonga in Auckland SF)

Tsonga 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Auckland (l Bautista Agut); QF(2): Buenos Aires (l Almagro); ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l Djokovic)
YTD W-L: 11-5 (9-3, 2-2 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 12
Date of Birth: April 17, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 9
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 17-8 (QF – 2009-10)

• The 30-year-old Frenchman comes in with a 17-8 career record and playing here for the 9th straight year. His best result was quarter-finals in 2009 (d. No. 8 Simon in 4R, l. to No. 3 Djokovic) and ’10 (l. to No. 4 Nadal). Last year lost in 3R (l. to Monfils). Reached 3R with 63 61 win over Giraldo (1R bye)
• In last tournament at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, reached QF (l. to No. 1 Djokovic)
• In January, reached 2nd week of Australian Open for 7th time (l. to No. 7 Nishikori in 4R)
• Clinched France’s Davis Cup 1R win over Canada in doubles w/Gasquet (d. Bester/Pospisil)
• Squandered 1 MP in Auckland SF loss to eventual champion Bautista Agut
• Fell to World No. 338 Monteiro in Rio de Janeiro 1R – worst loss by ranking for a Top 10 player since No. 388 Olivetti beat No. 8 Fish at 2012 Marseille

[Q] Tim Smyczek (USA) vs [24] Nick Kyrgios (AUS) Smyczek Leads 1-0
14 Memphis (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Tim Smyczek 6-7(5) 6-4 6-3

Other meeting:
13 Sacramento CH (U.S.A.) Hard SF Tim Smyczek 6-3 6-1

Smyczek 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 5-4 (5-4 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: December 30, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 132
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 3-2 (3R – 2016)

• The 28-year-old Wisconsin native opened on Thursday with a 64 57 75 win over fellow qualifier Tommy Paul before beating fellow Tampa resident No. 13-ranked Isner 62 26 76(5) for biggest career win
• He is making his 3rd tournament appearance (3-2 record) and has eclipsed last year’s 2R result (d. Menendez-Maceira, l. to No. 13 Tsonga in 3 sets). Made debut in 2013 as a qualifier and lost to Tursunov in 1R
• Last month, advanced to 2nd ATP World Tour QF of career at Delray Beach as WC (d. Fritz and Young, l. to eventual champion Querrey)
• Qualified at Australian Open for 2nd straight year and reached 2R (d. Gimeno-Traver, l. to Troicki)
• Reached Dallas, USA Challenger SF (d. Krueger, Harrison and Matosevic; l. to Edmund)

Kyrgios 2016 FastFacts:
W: Marseille (d Cilic); SF: Dubai (l Wawrinka)
YTD W-L: 11-3 (11-3 on hard)
YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: April 27, 1995
Emirates ATP Ranking: 26
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-0 (3R – 2016)

• The 20-year-old Aussie made his Miami debut Saturday with a 62 61 win over Baghdatis (1R bye)
• Last year didn’t win his 11th match until May at ATP Masters 1000 Madrid, 12th until May at Nice
• Last month, became youngest active player on ATP World Tour to win a title with 1st crown at Marseille (d. Cilic). Held in all 47 of his service games at Marseille, beating No. 10 Gasquet and No. 8 Berdych en route to title
• Beat Berdych again to reach Dubai SF, where he retired vs. No. 4 Wawrinka due to back problem
• Began season by reaching Australian Open 3R (d. Carreño Busta and Cuevas, l. to No. 6 Berdych)
• Withdrew from Rotterdam due to elbow injury and 1R Davis Cup tie vs. U.S. due to a viru

Damir Dzumhur (BIH) vs [Q] Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) First ATP Meeting

Other meeting:
13 Kosice CH (Slovak Republic) Clay F Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4 1-6 6-2

Dzumhur 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 7-7 (7-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: May 20, 1992
Emirates ATP Ranking: 94
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 2-1 (3R – 2016)

• The 23-year-old Bosnian native won his 1st match here on Thursday over Argentine Leonardo Mayer 46 63 64 and reached 3R after beating Nadal 26 64 30 ret. – his first victory against a top-10 opponent (now 1-5 career). Last year made debut as a qualifier and lost in 1R (l. to Duckworth)
• Lost in 2R at 1st 5 main draws of 2016 season: Doha, Australian Open, Sofia, Memphis, Delray Beach. Also fell in 1R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to Granollers)
• Rallied from 2 sets to 1 down to defeat Edmund in Australian Open 1R (l. to Goffin in 2R)
• Avenged Memphis 2R loss by beating Berankis in Delray Beach 1R (l. to Dimitrov in 2R)

Kukushkin 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Memphis (l Nishikori)
YTD W-L: 8-8 (8-8 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: December 26, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 90
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 5-5 (3R – 2016)

• The 28-year-old Kazakhstani is making his 6th Miami appearance and has a 5-5 match record. After three 2R appearances (2009 debut, l. to Tursunov; 2011, l. to Querrey; 2015, l. to Simon), through to 3R for first time with wins over Baker 64 62, and No. 30 seed Bellucci 57 63 ret.
• Last month advanced to QF at Memphis (d. Vanni and Kudla, l. to No. 7 Nishikori)
• Defeated Troicki and led No. 1 Djokovic 2 sets to 1 before falling in 5 sets during Davis Cup 1R (SRB d. KAZ 3-2)
• Fell to No. 6 Nishikori in ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 2R – 9th straight loss vs. Top 10 opponents (2-26 overall)
• Qualified at Sydney with wins over both Reid and Cervantes 76 in 3rd (l. to Chardy in 1R)
• Suffered 4th straight Australian Open 1R loss (l. to Sousa)
• Retired vs. Young in Delray Beach 1R due to left leg injury

COURT 1

Adrian Mannarino (FRA) vs Andrey Kuznetsov (RUS) First Meeting

Mannarino 2016 FastFacts:
QF(2): Sofia (l Bautista Agut); Delray Beach (l Dimitrov)
YTD W-L: 9-6 (9-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: June 29, 1988
Emirates ATP Rankings: 64
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 5-3 (4R – 2015)

• The 27-year-old Frenchman is making his 4th tournament appearance and is bidding to match his career-best run by reaching 4R as he did last year (3R d. No. 8 Wawrinka, 4R l. to Thiem). Beat Marchenko 26 62 63 in 1R before 2R win over No. 29 seed Querrey 67(5) 62 64
• Advanced to QFs at Sofia (l. to Bautista Agut) and Delray Beach (l. to Dimitrov)
• Beat Rosol and Paire before falling to Isner in ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 3R
• Reached Australian Open doubles SF w/Pouille (d. Bolelli/Fognini and Rojer/Tecau, l. to J. Murray/Soares).Entered Melbourne with 1-9 Grand Slam doubles record and 0-1 record overall w/Pouille
• Captured 11th ATP Challenger Tour title to start season at Noumea, CAL (d. Falla)

Kuznetsov 2016 FastFacts:
QF(2): Doha (l Nadal); Marseille (l Cilic)
YTD W-L: 11-5 (11-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: February 22, 1991
Emirates ATP Ranking: 51 (Career-high)
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 2-1 (3R – 2016)

• The 25-year-old Russian won his 1st match in Miami on Thursday, defeating Brazilian lucky loser Rogerio Dutra Silva 62 63, before beating No. 4 Wawrinka 64 63 in 2R – the second top-10 win of his career (now 2-8, also No. 7 Ferrer in five sets in 2R at Wimbledon 2014). In previous showing here in 2013, ret. in 1R to Hanescu
• The No. 2 Russian (behind No. 49 Gabashvili) is off to a career-best 11-5 start and already surpassed last year’s match wins total (10-12)
• Advanced to Grand Slam 4R for 1st time in career at Australian Open (d. Chardy in 2R, l. to Monfils)
• Came into Miami at career-high No. 51 in Emirates ATP Rankings and will crack Top 50 after tournament and expected to become No. 1 Russian on April 4, surpassing No. 49 Gabashvili
• Reached QFs at Doha (l. to No. 5 Nadal) and Marseille (l. to Cilic)
• Improved to 6-0 lifetime in Davis Cup, winning opening rubber of Russia’s 5-0 sweep over Sweden (d. Arvidsson)
• Qualified at Rotterdam (l. to Troicki in 1R)

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Krstin Wins First Challenger Title In San Luis Potosi

Posted: Mar 28, 2016

Krstin Wins First Challenger Title In San Luis Potosi

Mar282016

Revisit the week that was on the ATP Challenger Tour as we applaud the achievements of those on the rise and look ahead to who’s in action in the week to come

A LOOK BACK

San Luis Open (San Luis Potosi, Mexico): The longest-running active challenger (since 1980) once again returned to San Luis Potosi. The championship match featured two unseeded players in Pedja Krstin and Marcelo Arevalo, but it was Krstin who continued his dominant form by prevailing, 6-4, 6-2. The Serbian player, who didn’t drop a set all week, was overjoyed at winning the first ATP Challenger Tour title of his career.

The week also concluded a remarkable turn in form for Krstin. After going 1-8 at the Challenger level since July, he recorded a 9-2 record over the past month in Mexico. Krstin also reached the finals of the Challenger event in Puebla.

Despite the loss, the week was a success for Arevalo. The 25-year-old became the first player from El Salvador to ever reach an ATP Challenger Tour final.

Read: Safwat Flies The Flag For Egypt

Shenzhen Gemdale Challenger (Shenzhen, China): The ATP Challenger Tour returned to Shenzhen for the third consecutive year. No. 2 seed Dudi Sela didn’t drop a set throughout the week, defeating local favourite Di Wu in the championship match, 6-4, 6-3. The win gave Sela his 20^th ATP Challenger Tour title.

Read: Sela Joins “20 Titles Club” In Shenzhen

WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID

Krstin: “Arevalo played great. I feel wonderful because this is the first time I won a Challenger tournament this year. I feel excited because it was a hard game, but I really only played to win.”

Sela: “I am so happy to win my 20^th Challenger title in Shenzhen. Winning a title here is very important. Because I didn’t play well after the Australian Open, the performance this week can boost my confidence for the rest of the year.”

“Even with all the success I’ve had in Challengers, my goal is still to win an ATP World Tour title. I’ve been a finalist two times and believe I can reach this goal one day.”

“I found my best level once the weather turned sunny. The best thing that happened to me during these three weeks in China is that I learned how to use chopsticks!”

A LOOK AHEAD

There are three tournaments on the calendar this week, with the $125,000 event in Raanana (Israel) taking top billing. The top four seeds are ranked inside the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, with world No. 82 Evgeny Donskoy appearing as the No. 1 seed. Local favourite and last week’s winner in Guangzhou, Dudi Sela, is the No. 2 seed.

The long-standing $75,000 Challenger in Leon (Mexico) returns for the 14^th consecutive year and also features four players ranked inside the Top 100. Popular Aussie and 2014 finalist Sam Groth is the No. 1 seed, while #NextGen star Taylor Fritz appears as the No. 2 seed. Malek Jaziri, who prevailed earlier this month at the Challenger in Guadalajara, is the No. 3 seed, while defending champion Austin Krajicek returns as the No. 5 seed. Fittingly, last year’s championship between match between Krajicek and Adrian Menendez-Maceiras will be repeated as a first-round encounter this year.

The highly popular $50,000 event in St. Brieuc (France) also returns for the 13^th straight year. Jan-Lennard Struff is the No. 1 seed, while Daniel Evans looks to build on his Challenger title earlier this month in Rimouski as the No. 2 seed. Other notable names in the draw include former Top 50 player Grega Zemlja and 2011 champion Maxime Teixeira.

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ATP CHALLENGER TOUR ON TWITTER: New in 2016, the ATP Challenger Tour has launched a dedicated Twitter account for the latest news and information about players and events. Follow @ATPChallengerTour at twitter.com/ATPChallengerTour.

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