By Tucker Verdi
The first round of the men’s singles competition has wrapped up at the 2018 Miami Open, setting up second round clashes with seeded players.
Frances Tiafoe overcame Argentinian Nicolas Kicker late push in the second to win 6-3, 7-6(4) and set up a showdown with 2018 Australian Open semifinalist Kyle Edmund. The 20-year-old American recently won his first ATP title in Delray Beach.
Jared Donaldson took to Stadium Court on Wednesday night and downed Marcos Baghdatis 6-3, 6-4. Qualifier Michael Mmoh upset fellow American Christopher Eubanks 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Donaldson and Mmoh will face a pair of ranked Spaniards in No. 25 Feliciano Lopez and No. 12 Roberto Bautista-Agut, respectively.
Fiery young Canadian Denis Shapovalov fought off a strong challenge from Viktor Troicki that involved a second and third set tiebreak, ending 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(6).
Leonardo Mayer came back from a bruising first against Donald Young to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Americans had an up-and-down day on court, with Steve Johnson taking down Victor Estrella Burgos 6-3, 6-3 to join Tiafoe, Mmoh, and Donaldson in the second round, while Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren fell to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez on two tiebreaks 7-6(3), 7-6(6) to join Young in an early exit.
Qualifiers Thanasi Kokkinakis and Calvin Hemery dueled it out for the right to play World No. 1 Roger Federer, with the Australian youngster Kokkinakis breezing into the grueling next round matchup by a score of 6-1, 6-2.
For full match results, 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.
