Khachanov/Rublev Down Koolhof/Kubot In Miami
Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev made a strong start to their Miami Open presented by Itau campaign on Thursday when they eliminated sixth seeds Wesley Koolhof and Lukasz Kubot 6-4, 6-2.
The unseeded pair saved seven of the eight break points they faced to record a 69-minute victory on Court 6. Khachanov and Rublev are chasing their maiden team title in Miami, following two runner-up finishes at ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. The Russians advanced to the championship match at this event in 2018 (l. to Bryan/Bryan) and also reached the 2019 Rolex Paris Masters final (l. to Herbert/Mahut).
[WATCH LIVE 1]Last year’s Rolex Paris Masters champions Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz opened their Miami title bid with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen. The Canadian-Polish pair will face fourth seeds Ivan Dodig and Filip Polasek or Jeremy Chardy and Fabrice Martin for a quarter-final spot.
Tim Puetz and Alexander Zverev also eliminated seeded opposition on Thursday. The Germans converted four of their seven break points to beat third seeds Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 6-2, 6-4.
Taylor Fritz and John Isner marked their team debut with a 7-5, 6-3 win against Alexander Bublik and Adrian Mannarino. The Americans will meet second seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic or countrymen Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey in the second round.