By Justin Ross
Today, the 2017 Miami Open kicked off its round of 32 in the men’s singles draw. Highlighting the day were wins by Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal. Unfortunately, Milos Raonic had to pull out of the tournament, so his match was forfeited.
Nishikori kicked off the day’s action with an 11 a.m. contest in the main stadium. He defeated Spain’s Fernando Verdasco 7-6(2), 6(5)-7, 6-1. Prior to Nishikori’s win, the two were even in career meetups 2-2. Nishikori will face Argentine Federico Delbonis in the next round, who also won today.
In the grandstand, Raonic was supposed to face 20-year-old American qualifier Jared Donaldson, but due to his health, Raonic couldn’t participate. With two wins against top-50 opponents, Donaldson becomes the first qualifier since 2011 to reach the fourth round of play in Miami.
Rafael Nadal handled business in the last day session match against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 0-6, 6-2, 6-3. Nadal is now 13-1 against him in career play. This was also his 1,000th ATP World Tour singles match. He joins Roger Federer and David Ferrer as the only active players to play in at least 1,000 matches.
Americans Donald Young and Jack Sock will both be moving on. Young scored a 7-6(2), 6-4 win over Frenchman Benoit Paire. Paire was one of six Frenchmen ranked in the top 50. This is Young’s best showing in eight Miami appearances.
Sock’s victory came in a 6-3, 7-6(0) win over the Czech Republic’s Jiri Vesely.
In doubles play, the German Zverev brothers lost to Alex Peya and Philipp Petzschner. Then, the American Bryan brothers the Bryan brothers defeated an Australian duo featuring Nick Kyrgios in under an hour. A second American team of John Isner and Steve Johnson also competed today, but the duo was defeated.
In other action, two unseeded competitors secured wins. First, Italy’s Fabio Fognini beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Then, it was Nicolas Mahut who beat Guido Pella of Argentina 6-4, 6-3.
Monday’s play will feature several intriguing contests. In the marquee matchup, Roger Federer squares off with Juan Martin Del Potro in the afternoon session.
Check out the full results here: https://www.miamiopen.com/live-scoring-2017
Check out the schedule of match play here: https://www.miamiopen.com/2017-draws-and-order-of-play
Tickets for the annual event start at $12 for youth and $15 for adults. A group rate of $7 is also available for 20 or more and grant access to all day session matches. Tickets are on sale now, for more information go to www.miamiopen.com or call the Miami Open ticket office at 305-442-3367.
The 2017 Miami Open is scheduled for March 20 – April 2 and will once again be the hottest ticket in town. With ticket packages starting at just $136 and individual sessions starting at $20 the Miami Open will be the place-to-be.
About the Miami Open presented by Itaú
The 2017 Miami Open will be played March 20-April 2 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.
