By: Christopher Menendez
Miami- Jack Sock, the highest ranked of two Americans left in the draw, took on Canadian Milos Raonic. Raonic, with one title under his belt this year (Brisbane), beat Sock, 7-6(3), 6-4. All eyes are on Raonic who made it to the Indian Wells finals where he lost to World no. 1 Djokovic.
Angelique Kerber defeated Hungarian Timea Babos in a three-set match. The last match of the night at the stadium gets Kerber closer to reaching the quarter-finals for the second time. Kerber is on her way to reclaiming the World no. 2 ranking as Radwanska (current no. 2) lost to Bacsinszky in the fourth round.
Tim Smyczek, the other American remaining in the men’s draw was eliminated by Aussie Nick Kyrgios, 4-6, 4-6. This is Kyrgios debut at The Miami Open. He is coming off a historic month after becoming the youngest active player on the ATP world tour to win a title with 1st crown at Marseille.
In men’s doubles news, the Bryan brothers advance to the next round after Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew.
Damir Dzumhur, who advanced after Nadal retired in the second round, advances to the fourth round after beating Mikhail Kukushkin, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. The 23-year-old Bosnian native is on a rally after his first victory against a top-10 opponent.
Ekaterina Makarova defeated Elina Svitolina, 6-1, 6-4. Makarova advances to the fourth round where she will play against Kuznetsova who beat World no. 1 Serena Williams today.
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.
