By: Christopher Menendez
Miami- Frenchman Gael Monfils advances past the fourth round after a dynamic match against Grigor Dimitrov, 6(5)-7, 6-3, 6-3. Monfils, known for his agility and unpredictability on the court, is set to compete with Japan’s Nishikori in the men’s quarterfinals.
Kei Nishikori defeats Roberto Bautista Agut in two straight sets, 6-2, 6-4. Last year Nishikori reached the semifinals where he lost to Ferrer.
Svetlana Kuznetsova, one of two former Miami champions to be in contention, passed her fellow countrywoman Ekaterina Makarova in a three-set match, 6(3)-7, 6-4, 6-3. At 30, Kuznetsova is the older player in the Miami quarter-finals. She will face Bacsinszky in the semi-finals.
In women’s doubles, Margarita Gasparyan and Monica Niculescu beat American Vania King and Russian Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-3, 7-6(3).
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.
