For more than an hour on Friday, #NextGen star Taylor Fritz was even with perennial Top 10 player David Ferrer at the Miami Open presented by Itau.

Fritz had battled back after an early break and was serving aces and hitting winners past the Spaniard. But the 18-year-old American failed to convert either of his two set points in the first frame. And in the second set, Ferrer showed why he’s been a mainstay at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments for the past 14 years.

The No. 8 seed cruised in the second set and beat Fritz 7-6(6), 6-1 to move into the third round. Ferrer, who’s making his 14^th consecutive appearance in Miami, is looking to improve upon his best showing at the tournament, a runner-up finish in 2013 (l. to Murray).

Ferrer next will face Lucas Pouille of France, who beat No. 32 seed Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-2, 6-4.

No. 11 seed Marin Cilic strolled past Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic 6-4, 6-1 to secure his place in the third round. The Croat won 83 per cent of his first-serve points to win in straight sets. He’ll next play No. 18 seed Gilles Simon of France, who won 7-5, 6-1 against Juan Monaco of Argentina. Simon won 23 of his 24 first-serve points.

No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych received a walkover to move into the third round when American Rajeev Ram withdrew because of illness. Berdych will now face American Steve Johnson or #NextGen star Alexander Zverev of Germany.

Austrian Dominic Thiem had little trouble against the big-serving Aussie Sam Groth. The No. 14 seed won 7-5, 6-2 to move into the third round. Groth landed fewer than 50 per cent of his first serves. Thiem broke him three times in the win.

Next the 22 year old will play Spaniard Feliciano Lopez or #NextGen star Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan.

DAY 3 PREVIEW: The top half of the second round at the Miami Open presented by Itau on Friday features World No. 1 and five-time champion Novak Djokovic, World No. 3 and 2005-06 winner Roger Federer vs. former World No. 4 Juan Martin del Potro, along with No. 7 Tomas Berdych, No. 8 David Ferrer and No. 10 Richard Gasquet.

There are also four Next Generation players in action: teenagers Taylor Fritz (18) and Alexander Zverev (18), Yoshihito Nishioka (20) and Kyle Edmund (21).

In the first men’s match on Stadium, Fritz, who is the youngest player in the Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 81, plays No. 8 Ferrer for the first time. Last month Fritz reached his first ATP World Tour final in Memphis, losing to No. 7 Kei Nishikori. Ferrer, a finalist here in 2013 (l. to Murray), has a 30-13 career record in Miami.

In the next match on, Federer makes his return to the ATP World Tour after undergoing left knee surgery on Feb. 3. The 34-year-old Swiss superstar takes on del Potro for the 21st time. Federer leads the head-to-head meeting 15-5, including 10-5 on hard courts. Federer is making his 16th tournament appearance and he owns a 44-13 match record. The 27-year-old Argentine is playing in his third event since returning from left wrist surgery last year.

In the evening session, Djokovic squares off with Edmund for the first time. The 28-year-old Serb has won 24 of his last 25 matches in Miami with his only loss coming to Tommy Haas in 2013. Djokovic enters with a 22-1 match record on the season and ATP World Tour-best three titles. He is coming off his record-tying (w/Nadal) 27th career ATP Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells. Edmund is playing his second Top 10 opponent of his young career. He lost to No. 6 Berdych in the Doha quarter-finals in the first week of the season.

In the opening match on Grandstand, Rajeev Ram looks for his first career Top 10 win (0-6) against No. 7 Berdych, who was runner-up here in 2010. In the next match on, former World No. 7 Fernando Verdasco and No. 28 seed Jeremy Chardy meet for the third time (Chardy leads 2-0). In the third match, No. 31 seed Steve Johnson plays Zverev for the first time. Zverev has already won 10 matches on the ATP World Tour this season, the most among teenagers in 2016. In the final match on, No. 10 Richard Gasquet takes a 2-1 head-to-head lead against Spaniard Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Gasquet reached the semi-finals here in 2013.

On Court 1, big-serving Sam Groth plays No. 14 Dominic Thiem, who is co-leader (w/Djokovic) this season with 22 match wins on the ATP World Tour. This is a first-time meeting. In the next match on, No. 21 seed Feliciano Lopez meets Japanese qualifier Nishioka for the first time. In the final match on, Vasek Pospisil of Canada looks for his first win against No. 33 seed and Portuguese No. 1 Joao Sousa, who won both previous meetings last season.

DAY 3 FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

STADIUM

[Q] Taylor Fritz (USA) vs [8] David Ferrer (ESP) First Meeting

Fritz 2016 FastFacts:
F: Memphis (l Nishikori); QF: Acapulco (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 7-5 (7-5 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 28, 1997
Emirates ATP Ranking: 81
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-0 (2R – 2016)

• The youngest player (at 18 yrs., 4 mon.) in Top 100 Emirates ATP Rankings at No. 81 qualified into main draw and made debut on Wednesday with a 64 62 win over Simone Bolelli. One of 5 Americans to qualify in Miami (most since ’09) and 1 of 9 teenagers in main draw (most since 1991)
• Last month advanced to 1st ATP World Tour final in 3rd tour-level event at Memphis as WC (d. Berankis in 3 sets, l. to No. 7 Nishikori). Afterwards jumped from 145 to 102 in Emirates ATP Rankings
• At 18 years, 109 days, became youngest ATP finalist since Nishikori won 2008 Delray Beach (18 years, 50 days)
• Also the youngest American in an ATP final since 17-year-old Chang won 1989 Wembley
• Advanced to 2nd ATP QF at Acapulco as Q (d. Chardy and Estrella Burgos, l. to Querrey). Afterwards broke Top 100 on Feb. 29 at No. 81. Reached career-high No. 80 on March 7
• Rallied from 0-4 down in 3rd to beat M. Zverev and qualify for 1st career major at Australian Open (l. to Sock in 1R)
• Started season by capturing 3rd ATP Challenger Tour title at Happy Valley, AUS (d. Sela)

Ferrer 2016 FastFacts:
SF(2): Auckland (l Sock); Buenos Aires (l Almagro); QF(2): Australian Open (l Murray); Rio de Janeiro (l Thiem)
YTD W-L: 11-6 (7-4 on hard, 4-2 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 26
Date of Birth: April 2, 1982
Emirates ATP Ranking: 8
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 30-13 (Finalist – 2013)

• The 33-year-old Spaniard is making his 14th straight appearance in Miami and comes in with a 30-13 career match record. His best result is runner-up in 2013 (l. to No. 3 Murray after holding MP). Also SF in 2005 (l. to Nadal) and ’06 (d. No. 4 Roddick, No. 1 Federer) and QF in 2011 (l. to Fish), ’12 (l. to No. 1 Djokovic) and last year (l. No. 1 Djokovic). Seven of 13 losses to Top 10 opponents (2-7 record)
• Has three opening round losses: 2003 (l. to Acasuso) ’04 (l. to Soderling) and ’08 (l. to T. Johansson)
• Advanced to 6th Australian Open QF (d. Isner, l. to No. 2 Murray)
• Defeated Hewitt 62 64 64 in Australian Open 2R – last singles match of Aussie’s 20-year career
• Reached SFs at Auckland (l. to Sock) and Buenos Aires (l. to Almagro for 1st time in 16 meetings)
• Unable to defend titles at Doha (l. to Marchenko in 1R), Rio de Janeiro (l. to Thiem in QF) and Acapulco (l. to Dolgopolov in 2R)

[3] Roger Federer (SUI) vs [PR] Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) Federer Leads 15-5
07 Wimbledon (Great Britain) Grass R64 Roger Federer 6-2 7-5 6-1
07 Basel (Switzerland) Hard R16 Roger Federer 6-1 6-4
08 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Hard QF Roger Federer 6-3 6-3
09 Australian Open (Australia) Hard QF Roger Federer 6-3 6-0 6-0
09 ATP Masters 1000 Madrid (Spain) Clay SF Roger Federer 6-3 6-4
09 Roland Garros (France) Clay SF Roger Federer 3-6 7-6(2) 2-6 6-1 6-4
09 US Open (U.S.A.) Hard F J.M. del Potro 3-6 7-6(5) 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2
09 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals-London Hard RR Juan Martin del Potro 6-2 6-7(5) 6-3
11 ATP Masters 1000 Cincinnati (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Roger Federer 6-3 7-5
12 Australian Open (Australia) Hard QF Roger Federer 6-4 6-3 6-2
12 Rotterdam (Netherlands) Hard F Roger Federer 6-1 6-4
12 Dubai (U.A.E.) Hard SF Roger Federer 7-6(5) 7-6(6)
12 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (U.S.A.) Hard QF Roger Federer 6-3 6-2
12 Roland Garros (France) Clay QF Roger Federer 3-6 6-7(4) 6-2 6-0 6-3
12 London Olympics (Great Britain) Grass SF Roger Federer 3-6 7-6(5) 19-17
12 Basel (Switzerland) Hard F Juan Martin del Potro 6-4 6-7(5) 7-6(3)
12 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals-London Hard RR Juan Martin del Potro 7-6(3) 4-6 6-3
13 Basel (Switzerland) Hard F Juan Martin del Potro 7-6(3) 2-6 6-4
13 ATP Masters 1000 Paris (France) Hard QF Roger Federer 6-3 4-6 6-3
13 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals-London Hard RR Roger Federer 4-6 7-6(2) 7-5

Federer 2016 FastFacts:
F: Brisbane (l Raonic); SF: Australian Open (l Djokovic)
YTD W-L: 8-2 (8-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 88
Date of Birth: August 8, 1981
Emirates ATP Ranking: 3
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 44-13 (Winner – 2005-06)

• The 34-year-old Swiss superstar is making his 16th appearance in Miami and enters with a 44-13 career match record. The 2005 (d. Nadal) and ’06 (d. Ljubicic) champion also reached final in 2002 (l. to Agassi). In his last visit two years ago, lost in QF (l. to No. 21 Nishikori). Overall, QF-better 9 of 15 times. Only opening round loss came in 1999 debut (l. to Kenneth Carlsen in 1R)
• Advanced to 12th Australian Open SF (d. No. 6 Berdych, l. to No. 1 Djokovic)
• Earned record-extending 300th Grand Slam win of career in Australian Open 3R on Jan. 22 (d. Dimitrov)
• No. 3 on Open Era career match wins list and four wins behind No. 2 Ivan Lendl, who has 1,071 wins. Jimmy Connors is all-time leader with 1,254 match wins
• Has lost to only one opponent ranked outside Top 300 in his career on ATP World Tour, to No. 407 Bjorn Phau in Washington in 1999
• Started season by beating Thiem en route to Brisbane final rematch vs. Raonic, which he lost 64 64
• Tore meniscus on January 29 and underwent arthroscopic left knee surgery on February 3
• Withdrew from Rotterdam, Dubai and ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells

del Potro 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 5-2 (5-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 18
Date of Birth: September 23, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 366
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 14-7 (SF – 2009)

• The 27-year-old Argentine is making his 8th appearance (14-7) in Miami and opened on Wednesday night with a 60 76(4) win over countryman Guido Pella. Saved both break pts. & converted 3 of 9 break pts. His best result is SF in 2009 (d. No. 12 Ferrer in 4R, No. 1 Nadal in QF, l. to eventual champion Murray). Also 4R in 2007 (l. to No. 2 Nadal), ’11 (l. to No. 15 Fish) and ’12 (l. to No. 5 Ferrer). Last year lost in 1R (l. to Pospisil)
• Reached 2R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d. Smyczek, l. to No. 7 Berdych)
• Last month, defeated Kudla, Smith and Chardy at Delray Beach in comeback from wrist surgeries (l. to eventual champion Querrey in SF). Underwent left wrist surgery on Jan. 20 and June 18 last year
• Returned for 1st tournament since 2015 ATP Masters 1000 Miami and 3rd since 2014 Dubai
• Rose from No. 1,042 to No. 420 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22 after Delray Beach
• Has a 34-60 career record vs. Top 10 opponents and trying to post his first Top 10 win since ’13 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London (d. No. 9 Gasquet)

Djokovic 2016 FastFacts:
W(3): Doha (d Nadal); Australian Open (d Murray); ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d Raonic); QF: Dubai (l Lopez)
YTD W-L: 22-1 (22-1 on hard)
YTD Titles: 3 / Career Titles: 62
Date of Birth: May 22, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 1
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 36-5 (Winner – 2007, ’11-12, ’14-15)

• The 28-year-old Serb is making his 11th straight appearance in Miami and comes in with a 36-5 career match record. Has won his last 10 matches in Miami since losing to No. 18 Haas 62 64 in 4R in 2013. Since 2011, has won 24 of 25 matches
• Last year defeated No. 7 Ferrer (QF) and No. 4 Murray (F) to win his 5th Miami title (second behind Agassi-6). Trying to become 1st three-peat winner since Agassi from 2001-03
• In 2014, beat No. 6 Murray (QF) and No. 1 Nadal (F) to earn fourth title. Has a 4-1 record vs. Murray, 3-0 vs. Nadal and 1-0 vs. Federer (9-2 overall vs. Top 10 foes)
• In 2007, became youngest winner in tournament history (at 19 yrs., 314 days) and did not drop a set (d. Canas) en route to first ATP Masters 1000 title. Won 2nd title in 2011 (d. No. 1 Nadal) and repeated in ’12 (d. No. 4 Murray). Also reached final in 2009 (d. No. 2 Federer, l. to No. 4 Murray)
• Comes in with a 22-1 match record on the season and ATP World Tour-leading three titles. Won record-tying 5th title (w/Federer) at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d. Raonic). It was also his 27th career ATP Masters 1000 crown (tied w/Nadal) and has reached final in last 10 Masters 1000 events (DNP ’15 Madrid) going back to ’14 Paris-Bercy. Has 8-2 record in finals and 50-2 record during that stretch
• Since beginning of 2015, has compiled an 104-7 match record in last 20 tournaments, winning 14 titles in 18 finals over that span
• Captured 60th career title to start season at Doha, not dropping a set all week (d. No. 5 Nadal)
• Then tied Emerson’s all-time record with 6th Australian Open title (d. No. 2 Murray). Moved into tie with Laver and Borg for 5th all-time with 11 Grand Slam men’s singles titles. Won a 5-set match en route to title for 7th time at a major, overcoming 100 unforced errors in 4R (d. Simon)
• Became 3rd active player to reach 700 wins by beating Jaziri in Dubai 2R on Feb. 24 (also Federer, Nadal)
• Fell 1 shy of Lendl’s Open-Era record 18 straight finals when eye problem forced retirement in Dubai QF (l. to Lopez). Had not retired since 2011 Davis Cup SF vs. del Potro, a stretch of 350 matches (318-32)
• Defeated Nedovyesov in 3 sets and Kukushkin in 5 sets to help Serbia beat Kazakhstan 3-2 in Davis Cup 1R

Edmund 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Doha (l Berdych)
YTD W-L: 3-3 (3-3 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 8, 1995
Emirates ATP Ranking: 87
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-2 (2R – 2016)

• The 21-year-old British No. 3 (behind No. 2 Murray, No. 57 Bedene) is making his 3rd straight main draw appearance in Miami and won his 1st match on Wednesday over Jiri Vesely 64 57 76(6), saving 7 of 9 break points. Two years ago (l. to Benneteau in 3 sets) and last year (l. to Haase), both as a WC
• In opening week of season, advanced to 1st ATP World Tour QF of career at Doha as Q (d. Muñoz de la Nava 76 in 3rd, l. to No. 6 Berdych, his 1st career Top 10 match). Then fell in 5 sets to Dzumhur in Australian Open 1R
• Followed run to Maui, USA Challenger final (l. to Wu) with 4th Challenger title at Dallas, USA (d. countryman Evans). Did not drop a set en route to title in Dallas, including wins over Bangoura, McGee, Zemlja and Smyczek
• Achieved career-high No. 82 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22. Comes in No. 87

GRANDSTAND

Rajeev Ram (USA) vs [7] Tomas Berdych (CZE) Berdych Leads 1-0
13 Dubai (U.A.E.) Hard R32 Tomas Berdych 6-1 6-3

Ram 2016 FastFacts:
F: Delray Beach (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 7-7 (6-6 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: March 18, 1984
Emirates ATP Ranking: 61
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-3 (2R – 2016)

• The 32-year-old Carmel, Indiana resident won his 1st main draw match in Miami (1-3) on Wednesday over Russian Evgeny Donskoy 75 76(7), saving 5 of 7 break pts. while converting 3 of 7 break pts. Had previously lost in 1R in 2010 (l. to de Bakker), ‘12 (l. to Garcia-Lopez) and ’13 (l. to Malisse)
• Last month, defeated Tomic and Dimitrov en route to 3rd ATP World Tour singles final at Delray Beach (l. to Querrey). Afterwards achieved career-high No. 60 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 22
• Upset No. 12 Anderson, also a former University of Illinois star, in Australian Open 1R (l. to Robert 75 in 5th)
• Looking for 1st career Top 10 win (0-6) and facing a Top 10 opponent 1st time since ’14 Kuala Lumpur (l. to No. 8 Nishikori)
• Earned 1st singles win of career on clay over Zeballos in Quito 1R (l. to Ramos-Viñolas 75 in 3rd)
• Improved to 1-9 at ATP Masters 1000s with 2R at Indian Wells (d. Rubin, l. to Tomic in 2R)
• In doubles, beat Bryan/Bryan for 1st time in 8 meetings to reach Australian Open QF w/Klaasen (l. to eventual champions J. Murray/Soares 76 in 3rd)

Berdych 2016 FastFacts:
SF(2): Doha (l Djokovic); Marseille (l Kyrgios); QF(2): Australian Open (l Federer); Dubai (l Kyrgios)
YTD W-L: 14-6 (14-6 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 12
Date of Birth: September 17, 1985
Emirates ATP Ranking: 7
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 28-10 (Finalist – 2010)

• The 30-year-old Czech Republic native is making his 12th straight Miami appearance (W/O in ’14) and enters with a 28-10 match record. His best result was runner-up in 2010 (l. to No. 8 Roddick) and SF in 2008 (l. to No. 2 Nadal) and last two years (W/O vs. No. 1 Nadal in ’14, l. to No. 4 Murray last year). Has only one opening round loss in 2005 debut (retired vs. Clement in 1R)
• Comes in with 14-6 record and has advanced to QF-or-better at 1st 4 events of season. In last outing at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, reached 4R (l. to Raonic). Appearing in 51st consecutive ATP Masters 1000 tournament since last missing Madrid in May 2010
• Reached 6th straight Australian Open QF (d. Bautista Agut in 5 sets, l. to No. 3 Federer)
• Fell to No. 1 Djokovic in Doha SF and Kyrgios in both Marseille SF and Dubai QF
• Helped Czech Republic defeat Germany 3-2 in Davis Cup 1R by winning 5-setter over A. Zverev in 4h, 20m. Retired with right hamstring injury in 4th rubber while trailing Kohlschreiber 63 75
• Also won doubles w/Stepanek for 50th Davis Cup victory of career (d. Kohlschreiber/Petzschner)

Fernando Verdasco (ESP) vs [28] Jeremy Chardy (FRA) Chardy Leads 2-0
10 Memphis (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Jeremy Chardy 7-6(4) 6-3
10 ATP Masters 1000 Toronto (Canada) Hard R32 Jeremy Chardy 6-7(7) 7-6(5) 6-2

Verdasco 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 5-4 (5-3 on hard, 0-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 6
Date of Birth: November 15, 1983
Emirates ATP Ranking: 65
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 15-13 (QF – 2009-10)

• The 32-year-old Spaniard made his 14th straight showing in Miami on Wednesday, opening with a 76 63 win over Gilles Muller (saving all 5 break pts. faced). Hs best result is QF in 2009 (l. to No. 4 Murray) and ‘10 (l. to No. 20 Berdych). Also 4R last year (d. No. 3 Nadal, l. to Monaco)
• In opening month of season, upset No. 5 Nadal in 4h41m, 5-set Australian Open 1R match, avenging loss to countryman 7 years earlier in 5h14m, 5-set Australian Open SF. Then lost to Sela in 2R
• Has played in 51 straight Grand Slam main draws, 3rd-longest active streak (Federer 65, Lopez 56)
• Fell to 0-11 lifetime against World No. 1 with 62 62 loss to Djokovic in Doha 2R
• Withdrew from doubles in Quito w/Lapentti and singles in both Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro due to neck injury
• Fell out of Top 50 on Feb. 8 at No. 57 for first time since June 24, 2013 (at No. 54). Comes in No. 65

Chardy 2016 FastFacts:
QF(3): Doha (l Marchenko); Sydney (l Muller); Delray Beach (l del Potro)
YTD W-L: 8-7 (8-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 1
Date of Birth: February 12, 1987
Emirates ATP Ranking: 31
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-7 (3R – 2010, ‘15)

• The 29-year-old Frenchman is making his 8th straight appearance in Miami and his best result is 3R in 2010 (l. to Almagro) and last year (bye, d. Melzer, l. to No. 6 Raonic in 3rd set TB). Also 2R in 2014 (l. to No. 2 Djokovic)
• Advanced to QFs at Doha (l. to Marchenko), Sydney (l. to Muller) and Delray Beach (l. to del Potro)
• In Australian Open 1R, defeated Gulbis 13-11 in 5th after 4 hours, 43 minutes (l. to Kuznetsov in 2R)
• In Rotterdam 1R, saved 1 MP to defeat Donskoy 76 in 3rd (l. to Mahut in 2R)
• Highest-ranked of 8 wins in 2016 was over No. 63 Kukushkin in Sydney 1R

[31] Steve Johnson (USA) vs Alexander Zverev (GER) First Meeting

Johnson 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 4-7 (4-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: December 24, 1989
Emirates ATP Ranking: 36
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 0-2 (1R – 2014-15)

• The 26-year-old Californian is looking for his 1st win in Miami after 1R losses in 2014 as a qualifier (l. to Bautista Agut) and last year (l. to Kukushkin)
• Advanced to Australian Open 3R for 2nd straight season (d. Bedene and Bellucci, l. to No. 8 Ferrer)
• Achieved career-high No. 29 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 8
• Saved 1 MP to defeat Millman in Delray Beach 1R before squandering 75 40 lead vs. Becker in 2R
• Fell to 0-12 lifetime against Top 10 players with ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells 3R loss to No. 6 Nishikori
• Advanced to 2nd ATP World Tour doubles final w/Querrey at Memphis (l. to Fyrstenberg/S. Gonzalez)

Zverev 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Montpellier (l Mathieu); QF: Rotterdam (l Monfils)
YTD W-L: 10-7 (10-7 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: April 20, 1997
Emirates ATP Ranking: 52 (Career-high)
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 2-1 (2R – 2015-16)

• The 18-year-old German reached 2R in Miami for 2nd straight year after defeating fellow teenager Michael Mmoh 76 76 on Wednesday. Qualified last year (No. 129), defeating Groth (l. to Rosol in 2R)
• Comes into 2R with a 10-7 match record on season. Reached 4R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells with wins over Dodig, No. 23 seed Dimitrov and No. 16 Simon before losing to No. 4 Nadal (led 5-2 in 3rd & held one M.P.). Enters Miami a career-high No. 52 in Emirates ATP Rankings
• Last month reached 3rd ATP singles SF at Montpellier (d. Vanni in 1R after saving 1 MP, l. to Mathieu)
• Win over No. 13 Cilic in Montpellier 2R is biggest of career by ranking (has three Top 20 wins in 2016)
• Advanced to Rotterdam QF (d. Simon 76 in 3rd, l. to Monfils)
• Fell to eventual finalist Murray in 1R of Australian Open debut
• Appeared in 2nd ATP doubles final with older brother Mischa at Montpellier (l. to Pavic/Venus)
• In Davis Cup debut, fell to No. 7 Berdych in 4h, 20m and Rosol in deciding rubber (CZE d. GER 3-2)

[10] Richard Gasquet (FRA) vs Albert Ramos-Vinolas (ESP) Gasquet Leads 2-1
12 ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (U.S.A.) Hard R64 Albert Ramos-Vinolas 3-6 7-5 6-1
12 ATP Masters 1000 Miami (U.S.A.) Hard R32 Richard Gasquet 6-2 5-7 6-3
12 Estoril (Portugal) Clay SF Richard Gasquet 2-6 7-6(1) 7-5

Gasquet 2016 FastFacts:
W: Montpellier (d Mathieu); QF: Marseille (l Kyrgios)
YTD W-L: 8-2 (8-2 on hard)
YTD Titles: 1 / Career Titles: 13
Date of Birth: June 18, 1986
Emirates ATP Ranking: 10
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 10-9 (SF – 2013)

• The 29-year-old Frenchman is making his 10th appearance in Miami and comes in with a 10-9 career match record. His best result was SF in 2013 (d. No. 12 Almagro in 4R, No. 6 Berdych in QF, l. to No. 3 Murray in 3 sets). Also 4R in 2012 (l. to No. 1 Djokovic) and in last visit in 2014 (l. to No. 5 Federer)
• Last month improved to 13-12 in ATP World Tour finals by capturing 3rd title at Montpellier (d. Mathieu)
• Moved into 2nd place among Frenchmen in Open Era with 13 titles (Noah 23)
• In only other tournament of 1st 2 months, advanced to Marseille QF (l. to Kyrgios)
• Clinched France’s Davis Cup 1R win over Canada in doubles w/Tsonga (d. Bester/Pospisil)
• Withdrew from Doha and Australian Open with back injury and from Rotterdam with flu

Ramos-Vinolas 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Quito (l Estrella Burgos)
YTD W-L: 8-8 (4-4 on hard, 4-4 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: January 17, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 50
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 7-3 (4R – 2013)

• The 28-year-old Spaniard opened on Wednesday with a 57 62 76 win over Colombian qualifier Alejandro Gonzalez. He is making his 4th appearance (7-3 record) and his best result is 4R in 2013 (l. to Melzer). Last year lost in 2R (l. to Mannarino). Made debut in 2012 and made 3R (l. to No. 17 Gasquet)
• Last month, rallied from 2-5 down in 3rd set to beat Ram, then upset Lopez en route to Quito SFs (l. to eventual champion Estrella Burgos)
• Earned 1st win in 5th appearance at Australian Open (d. Coric, l. to Cilic)
• Held 1 MP before falling to Mathieu in 1st match of season at Doha
• Has 1-17 career record vs. Top 10 opponents and lone win came over No. 3 Federer in 2015 Shanghai

COURT 1

Sam Groth (AUS) vs [14] Dominic Thiem (AUT) First Meeting

Groth 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 2-8 (2-7 on hard, 0-1 on grass)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: October 19, 1987
Emirates 2016 ATP Ranking: 77
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-1 (2R – 2016)

• The 28-year-old Aussie won his 1st match in Miami on Wednesday with a 63 62 victory over Victor Estrella Burgos. Last year lost in 1R (l. to A. Zverev in three sets)
• Has struggled with 2-8 start, scoring previous win at Aust. Open 1R (d. Mannarino, l. to No. 2 Murray)
• Fell to Isner in opening rubber of Davis Cup 1R (USA d. AUS 3-1)
• Held 3 MPs vs. Rubin in Delray Beach 1R before losing 64 46 76(6)
• In doubles, served as partner to Hewitt in countryman’s last match at Australian Open (l. to Pospisil/Sock in 3R)

Thiem 2016 FastFacts:
W(2): Buenos Aires (d Almagro); Acapulco (d Tomic); SF(2): Brisbane (l Federer);Rio de Janeiro (l Pella)
YTD W-L: 22-5 (14-4 on hard, 8-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 2 / Career Titles: 5
Date of Birth: September 3, 1993
Emirates ATP Ranking: 14
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 5-2 (QF – 2015)

• The 22-year-old Austrian comes into Miami with a 5-2 career record. Two years ago qualified (No. 86) and lost in 2R (l. to No. 17 Robredo). Last year came in No. 51 and reached QF (l. to No. 4 Murray)
• Last month captured 5th career title — 1st ATP World Tour 500 – by beating Tomic in Acapulco final
• Rose to career-high No. 13 in Emirates ATP Rankings on March 7 (youngest in Top 20)
• Co-leader (w/Djokovic) with 22 wins (earned 22nd win in 2015 on July 25 at Umag)
• Saved 1 MP in Buenos Aires 2R (d. Elias) and SF (d. No. 5 Nadal 76 in 3rd) en route to title (d. Almagro 76 in 3rd). Win over Nadal snapped 8-match losing streak vs. Top 10. Also beat No. 6 Ferrer in Rio de Janeiro QF
• Reached Australian Open 3R (l. to Goffin) and Indian Wells 4R (l. to No. 9 Tsonga) for 1st time in career
• Earned 1st 3 Davis Cup victories of career to lead Austria to 4-1 win over Portugal in Europe/Africa Zone Group I, beating Elias 76 in 5th, rallying from 2 sets down w/Peya to defeat Elias/Sousa, and clinching tie over Sousa
• Retired down 76(2) 22 in Sydney 2R against Muller due to blisters

[21] Feliciano Lopez (ESP) vs [Q] Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) First Meeting

Lopez 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Dubai (l Baghdatis); QF: Quito (l Ramos-Vinolas)
YTD W-L: 8-6 (7-5 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: September 20, 1981
Emirates ATP Ranking: 23
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 11-13 (4R – 2007)

• The 34-year-old Madrid native is making his 14th appearance in 15 years (DNP in ’13) and his best result is 4R in 2007 (l. to eventual champ Djokovic). Also 3R from 2008-11 and in 2014. Last year lost in opening round (after bye, l. to Thiem)
• Earned 2nd win vs. World No. 1 when Djokovic retired with eye problem in Dubai QF (l. to Baghdatis in SF). Also defeated Garcia-Lopez for 400th career singles win in Dubai 1R on Feb. 22
• Beat Bautista Agut 76 67 64 in 3h16m to reach 4R at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to No. 1 Djokovic)
• Appeared in 56th straight Grand Slam main draw at Aust. Open (d. Pella in 5 sets, l. to Isner in 3R)
• Retired down 75 43 in Quito QF vs. Ramos-Viñolas due to fatigue
• Captured 2nd doubles title of career at Doha w/M. Lopez (d. J. Murray/Soares and Peya/Petzschner)
• Held 2 MPs in Dubai doubles final w/M. Lopez before falling 14-12 in Match TB to Bolelli/Seppi

Nishioka 2016 FastFacts:
QF: Memphis (l Querrey)
YTD W-L: 2-3 (2-3 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: September 27, 1995
Emirates ATP Ranking: 124
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 1-0 (2R – 2016)

• The 20-year-old Japanese native qualified into main draw and opened on Wednesday with a 63 64 win over lucky loser Jared Donaldson
• Reached 2nd ATP World Tour QF at Memphis as Q (d. Donaldson and Marchenko, l. to Querrey)
• Also qualified at Brisbane (l. to Pouille in 1R)
• Achieved career-high No. 110 in Emirates ATP Rankings on February 15
• Fell to Cuevas in 1R of Australian Open debut
• Lost doubles rubber w/Uchiyama to Murray/Murray in Davis Cup 1R (GBR d. JPN 3-1)
• Advanced to 1st ATP Challenger Tour doubles final w/Setkic at Cherbourg, FRA (l. to Skupski/Skupski)

Vasek Pospisil (CAN) vs [33] Joao Sousa (POR) Sousa Leads 2-0
15 Roland Garros (France) Clay R128 Joao Sousa 6-3 7-6(5) 6-1
15 Valencia (Spain) Hard SF Joao Sousa 6-4 6-4

Pospisil 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 4-8 (4-7 on hard, 0-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: June 23, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 45
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 2-2 (2R – 2015-16)

• The 25-year-old Canadian reached 2R with a 26 63 76(4) win over Argentine Diego Schwartzman on Wednesday. Last year won his 1st singles match (d. del Potro, l. to Dimitrov). Reached doubles final w/Sock, losing to Bryan brothers
• Off to 4-8 singles start with wins over Karlovic in Auckland, Pouille in Dubai, Donaldson in Indian Wells
• Went 0-6 in sets during Canada’s 5-0 loss to France in Davis Cup 1R (l. to Simon, w/Bester l. to Gasquet/Tsonga)
• Fell to frequent doubles partner Sock in Auckland 2R (1st H2H meeting)
• Captured 6th ATP World Tour doubles title at Rotterdam w/Mahut (d. Peya/Petzschner) and fell short of repeat title at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells w/Sock (l. Herbert/Mahut)
• Advanced to Australian Open doubles QF w/Sock (d. Hewitt/Groth, l. to Cuevas/Granollers)

Sousa 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 3-8 (3-8 on hard)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: March 30, 1989
Emirates ATP Ranking: 38
Miami W-L (Best Result – Year): 2-3 (3R – 2014)

• The 26-year-old Portuguese No. 1 is No. 33 seed after No. 25 Martin Klizan withdrew due to a foot injury. He is making his 4th straight appearance and best result is 3R in 2014 (d. Carreno Busta, Simon, l. to No. 7 Berdych). Last year lost in 1R (l. to Ramos-Vinolas)
• Advanced to Australian Open 3R for 2nd straight season (l. to eventual finalist Murray in 4 sets)
• Contributed Portugal’s lone win in 4-1 Davis Cup Group I loss to Austria (d. G. Melzer)
• Suffered a 5-match losing streak after beating Giraldo in Australian Open 2R
• Fell to No. 7 Berdych in Dubai 1R, his 18th straight loss against a Top 10 opponent (1-20 overall)
• Lost to Fognini in Auckland 1R after holding 2 MPs

COURT 2

[11] Marin Cilic (CRO) vs Dusan Lajovic (SRB) Cilic Leads 1-0
14 Zagreb (Croatia) Hard R16 Marin Cilic 6-4 7-5

Cilic 2016 FastFacts:
F: Marseille (l Kyrgios); QF(3): Brisbane (l Thiem); Rotterdam (l Kohlschreiber); ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l Goffin)
YTD W-L: 12-8 (11-7 on hard, 1-1 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 14
Date of Birth: September 28, 1988
Emirates ATP Ranking: 11
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 8-7 (QF – 2013)

• The 27-year-old Croat is making his 8th appearance in 9 years in Miami (missed last year) and his best result is QF in 2013 (d. No. 8 Tsonga in 4R, l. to No. 3 Murray). In his last visit two years ago, lost in opening round (l. to Roger-Vasselin)
• Last month fell to 14-10 lifetime in ATP World Tour finals with loss in Marseille title match to Kyrgios
• Helped Croatia to 3-2 Davis Cup 1R win over Belgium (d. Coppejans, l. to Goffin)
• Advanced to QFs at Brisbane (l. to Thiem) and Rotterdam (l. to Kohlschreiber)
• Reached Australian Open 3R (l. to Bautista Agut)

Lajovic 2016 FastFacts:
SF: Sao Paulo (l Cuevas); QF: Buenos Aires (l Thiem)
YTD W-L: 6-7 (1-3 on hard, 5-4 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 0
Date of Birth: June 30, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 70
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 1-2 (2R – 2013)

• The 25-year-old Serb is making his 3rd straight appearance in Miami and his best result is 3R two years ago as a lucky loser (bye, d. Lu, l. to Dolgopolov in 3rd set TB). Last year retired in 1R vs. Krajinovic
• Earned 1st win of career in an ATP World Tour QF by beating Elias at São Paulo (1-8 in QFs)
• Also defeated 2015 finalist Vanni and No. 1 seed Paire en route to SF (l. to eventual champion Cuevas)
• Saved 1 MP to defeat Isner 76(10) 46 76(6) in Buenos Aires 2R (l. to Thiem in QF)
• Trailed by 2 sets in Australian Open 1R before opponent Querrey retired at 2 sets all (cramping)
• Retired from Rio de Janeiro 1R (left foot) and Australian Open doubles 1R (left ankle)

[Q] Marcel Granollers (ESP) vs [16] David Goffin (BEL) First Meeting

Granollers 2016 FastFacts:
YTD W-L: 4-7 (4-5 on hard, 0-2 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 4
Date of Birth: April 12, 1986
Emirates ATP Ranking: 73
Miami W-L (Best Result-Year): 4-5 (4R – 2011)

• The 29-year-old Spanish qualifier opened on Wednesday with a 63 75 win over American qualifier Bjorn Fratangelo. His best result came in 2011 debut when he reached 4R (d. Becker, No. 13 Wawrinka, No. 25 Llodra, l. to No. 6 Ferrer). Since then, lost in opening round 4 straight times from 2012-15
• Comes into 2R with a 4-7 singles record this season, with previous wins at Australian Open (d. No. 106 Ebden), Memphis (d. No. 120 Jaziri) and ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (d. No. 93 Dzumhur)
• Fell to 0-6 lifetime in Australian Open 2R matches with loss to No. 11 Isner
• Won Irving, Texas Challenger title (d. Bedene) after 2R exit in Indian Wells and reached Canberra, AUS Challenger SF (d. Halys, l. to Lorenzi) in January
• In doubles, advanced to Australian Open SF w/Cuevas (d. Dodig/Melo and Pospisil/Sock, l. to Nestor/Stepanek)

Goffin 2016 FastFacts
SF: ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells (l. to Raonic); QF: Marseille (l. to Berdych)
YTD W-L: 12-5 (10-5 on hard, 2-0 on clay)
YTD Titles: 0 / Career Titles: 2
Date of Birth: December 7, 1990
Emirates ATP Ranking: 15
Miami W-L (Best Result): 5-4 (4R – 2015)

• The 25-year-old Belgian is making his 5th straight tournament appearance and his best result is 4R last year (bye, d. Coric, Janowicz, l. to No. 5 Nishikori). Also 3R in 2013 and 2R in 2012 (l. to No. 12 Almagro in both). Qualified two years ago and lost to Zeballos in 1R
• Comes into Miami after reaching SF at ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells where he won three straight three-setters, including a final-set TB vs. Tiafoe in 2R (saved 2 MPs). Also beat [3] Wawrinka in final set TB in 4R and lone straight-sets win came over [10] Cilic 76 62 in QF (l. to Raonic). Jumped from No. 18 to No. 15 afterwards. First Belgian in a Masters 1000 SF since Christophe Rochus in Hamburg in 2005 (l. to Gasquet)
• Advanced to Australian Open 4R for 1st time (d. Thiem, l. to No. 3 Federer)
• Defeated Coric and Cilic, but lost doubles w/Bemelmans to Dodig/Skugor during Davis Cup 1R (CRO d. BEL 3-2)
• Last month reached Marseille QF (l. to No. 8 Berdych)

COURT 7

Juan Monaco (ARG) vs [18] Gilles Simon (FRA) Tied 3-3
05 Casablanca (Morocco) Clay QF Juan Monaco 4-6 6-2 7-5
06 Bucharest (Romania) Clay R32 Gilles Simon 7-5 3-6 6-3
07 Bastad (Sweden) Clay R16 Gilles Simon 6-4 6-4
08 Lyon (France) Carpet R32 Gilles Simon 2-6 6-4 6-1
11 ATP Masters 1000 Paris (France) Hard R32 Juan Monaco 6-4 6-0
13 ARG vs. FRA WG QF (Argentina) Clay RR Juan Monaco 7-6(2) 6-2 6-4

Other meeting:
05 Biella CH (Italy) Clay R32 Juan Monaco 6-4 6-3

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) vs [20] Benoit Paire (FRA) Paire Leads 1-0
15 Wimbledon (Great Britain) Grass R128 Benoit Paire 6-4 6-4 6-3

COURT 8

[32] Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs Lucas Pouille (FRA) First Meeting

[19] Viktor Troicki (SRB) vs Inigo Cervantes (ESP) First Meeting

Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco defeated Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second round of the Miami Open presented by Itau on Thursday. The Spanish left-handers were only broken once and secured the win in 69 minutes.

Nadal/Verdasco earned their first doubles win in 2016 as a team. They fell in the first round in Doha (l. to Gabashvili/Ramos-Vinolas) and in Indian Wells (l. to Bryan/Bryan).

No. 8 seeds Vasek Pospisil and Jack Sock, finalists in Indian Wells last week, were eliminated by John Isner and Nicholas Monroe 7-6(3), 6-3. Isner/Monroe, teaming up for the first time since Paris 2013, saved 11 of 12 break points to secure victory in 70 minutes.

Also upset were No. 6 seeds Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea. The 2015 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals runners-up (l. to Tecau/Rojer) were felled by Pablo Cuevas and Marcel Granollers 2-6, 6-4, 10-4 in 68 minutes. Bopanna/Mergea lost despite winning two more points than their opponents (60-58).

Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez maintained their excellent early-season form, advancing to the second round thanks to a 3-6, 6-3, 10-6 win against Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey. The Indian Wells semi-finalists (l. to Pospisil/Sock) won 76 per cent of second serve points and were only broken once in the 69-minute encounter.

Denis Istomin fought past Next Generation player Borna Coric on Thursday to set up a clash against second seed and two-time former champion Andy Murray at the Miami Open presented by Itau. Istomin led 3-0 in both the second and third sets, and hung on to get the better of a persistent Coric 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 in two hours and 46 minutes. Istomin, who recorded his first ATP World Tour win since last October (d. Bedene in Moscow), improved to 1-7 on the year.

Andreas Seppi got the better of Donald Young for the second time this month, having also beaten the American at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Seppi won 80 per cent of his first-serve points to roll through Young 6-3, 6-1 in 63 minutes and set a second-round match against No. 27 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov.

Veteran Tim Smyczek overcame countryman Tommy Paul 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. Smyczek saved nine of 13 break points against the 18-year-old qualifier and secured the win in two hours and 19 minutes. He will face another American, No. 13 seed John Isner, in the second round.

Elsewhere, Aljaz Bedene will take on No. 17 seed Roberto Bautista Agut, a winner of two ATP World Tour titles this year, in the second round after he defeated wild card Roberto Carballes Baena 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 in just over two hours.