By Tucker Verdi
Eight of the final sixteen in Key Biscayne have been determined after Sunday’s exciting day of tennis.
No. 19 seed Hyeon Chung booked the first ticket to the fourth round with a dominating win over American Michael Mmoh 6-1, 6-1. He will take on Joao Sousa, who came back from a 1-6 first set loss to Jared Donaldson to take the match 6-3, 6-4.
Joining him not long after is 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, who fought off Vasek Pospisil 7-5, 7-6(4). The Croatian is the top remaining player in the draw after Roger Federer’s stunning upset the day before, and he will take on American John Isner. Isner sealed his first round of 16 appearance at Crandon Park since 2015 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
Juan Martín del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, outplayed Kei Nishikori for a 6-2, 6-2 win, a raucous crowd cheering on the Argentinian with chants of “Ole!” between games.
Del Potro now has a date scheduled with No. 22 seed Filip Krajinovic, who avenged his compatriot Novak Djokovic’s loss by defeating Benoit Paire – the man who knocked out Djokovic – 6-3, 6-3.
The biggest upset of the day was pulled by Frenchman Jeremy Chardy, who ended No. 3 seed Grigor Dimitrov’s title hopes in straight sets by a final score of 6-4, 6-4.
The night ended with a fierce battle between No. 13 seed Diego Schwartzman and No. 20 seed and 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, with Raonic coming out on top. The Canadian moves on to a matchup with Chardy in the fourth round.
For full results of the day’s action, visit miamiopen.com/2018-results.
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2018 Miami Open will be played March 19-April 1 at the Crandon Park 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 94,000 employees and operations in 19 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, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries. The company represents and manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is one of the largest independent producers and distributors of sports media. IMG also specializes in sports training; league development; and marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions.
