By: Christopher Menendez
Miami- Today marks the fourth day of the 32nd annual Miami Open. The remaining 16 singles matches in the bottom half of the draw are on today’s schedule. Also lookout for six first round doubles matches, including Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Fernando Versdasco. This afternoon all eyes are on the stadium as Serena Williams takes on Christina McHale.
In the opening match of the stadium Italian Andreas Seppi brings a 3-1 career head-to-head record against American Donald Young. Seppi beat young, 6-3, 6-1. At ATP Masters 1000 Indian Wells, Seppi rallied to win his first round as well.
Nadal, seeded No. 5, will look to maintain his momentum from a semi-final run in Indian Wells (l. to Djokovic), but could face Indian Wells finalist Milos Raonic, the No. 12 seed, in the fourth round and No. 4 seed Wawrinka in the quarter-finals.
Smyczek has overcome fellow American qualifier Tommy Paul, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5. Smyczek is coming off a quarter-final rally at Delray Beach. This is is his third tournament appearance.
Irina Falconi and Petra Kvitova, the first match at the Grand Stand today, Falconi is one of the 14 players from the USA to begin the Miami main draw. In last years Miami Open Falconi reach the second round, this year she was defeated by Kvitova. This marks Kvitova’s eighth appearance at Miami after coming off a qualifying run at Indian Wells against Radwanska.
American WTA player Madison Brengle beats Slovakian Schmiedlova, 7-5, 6-4.
Wild card Roberto Carballes Baena, who turned 22 yesterday, made his tournament debut and appeared in his first career hard court event on the ATP World Tour. He lost to his opponent Aljaz Bedene, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. This
is Baena’s 3rd main draw appearance in Miami and reached the third round as a qualifier in 2014.
American No. 20 seed Sloane Stephens loses to her British opponent Heather Watson who is a wildcard pick to the Miami Open. Sloane Stephens has won the last four matches against players from Great Britain. She was overcome by Watson in her seventh appearance at Miami. She may be on the way to break the best wildcard record at Miami from 2010 when Henin reached the semifinals.
The WTA’s Caroline Wozniacki and 23rd seed of the tournament advances after beating American Vania King, 7-5, 6-2.
Former Miami Open champion Agnieszka Radwanska beat French Alize Cornet, 6-0, 6-1. The no. 3 seed advances to the third round of women’s singles in her tenth consecutive appearance at Miami. In 2013, Radwanska made it to the semifinals, but lost to the eventual champion Serena Williams.
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2016 Miami Open will be played March 21-April 3 at the Crandon Tennis Center in Miami. The two-week combined event is owned and operated by IMG. The Miami Open is one of nine ATP Masters 1000 Series events on the ATP calendar, a Premier Mandatory event on the WTA calendar, and features the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world. The tournament is widely regarded as the most glamorous on the ATP and WTA calendars because of its exotic Miami location, thriving nightlife, five-star hotels and restaurants, beautiful weather and beaches, and its celebrity appeal. For ticket information, call +1.305.442.3367 or visit www.miamiopen.com.
About Itaú
Itau is the largest Latin America privately owned bank, with approximately 95,000 employees and operations in 20 countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe. Itaú’s relationship with sport goes back to the 1970s, when Itaú first sponsored the Itaú Tennis Cup in Brazil in 1970. Itaú has been a sponsor of the Miami Open for the last six years, and also sponsors the Rio Open, the only combined ATP/WTA event in South America. Itaú also supports the Brazilian Women’s Tennis Circuit, only female professional tournament in South America, certified by the Brazilian Tennis Confederation (CBT) and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), as well as the Tennis Institute Training Center, responsible for the development of young, new talent.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion and media operating in more than 25 countries around the world. IMG’s businesses include Events Media, College, Golf, Tennis, Performance and IMG Academy, Fashion, Models, Clients, Licensing, Joint Ventures, and creative management agency Art + Commerce. In 2014, IMG was acquired by WME, the world’s leading entertainment and media agency. Together, the companies offer an unparalleled client roster; strategic partnerships with sponsors and brands; and marquee assets across sports, entertainment, events, music and fashion.
