Istomin Downs Coric To End Drought

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.