Tennis: Swiatek pulls out of Miami Open with rib injury

MIAMI GARDENS -- World number one Iga Swiatek withdrew from the Miami Open tournament on Monday with a rib injury.

The Pole was the defending champion at Miami and was expected to play American Claire Liu in the second round on Thursday after receiving a first-round bye.

She lost in the semifinals of Indian Wells to eventual champion Elena Rybakina but said that she was not able to play again with the injury.

Swiatek said she had initially hurt her rib by strong coughing after picking up an infection.

"You know that in and after Doha I was struggling with a strong infection," Swiatek said.

"I was allowed to play, but a strong episode of tough cough led to a rib injury. We were trying to handle it and continue to play as long as it was safe for me. We were analyzing the data in the last days and my doctor prepared my diagnosis.

"Unfortunately, I'm still feeling a lot of discomfort and pain and I can't compete."

Swiatek suggested the injury was not serious enough to keep her sidelined for long, although she did not indicate a timeline for her return.

With a strong lead over second-placed Aryna Sabalenka in the rankings, Swiatek's number one status will not be immediately impacted by missing Miami.

"Of course I'm going to lose points for this tournament but it doesn't change anything in terms of my approach and my mentality," she said.

"I was also aware at the beginning of the season that it's going to be hard for me to defend all these points.

"Missing this tournament is not going to help, but on the other hand, as I said, you know injuries happen and I didn't have any injuries for two or three years.

"What's going to happen next? We'll see. Obviously it's going to depend on the recovery but for now it's not a horrible scenario."

Swiatek said in a statement that she would also miss Poland's upcoming match against Kazakhstan in the Billie Jean King Cup competition.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Federer sweeps past Isner in Miami final for 101st title

MIAMI -- Roger Federer lifted the 101st title of his remarkable career on Sunday in dominating style, beating ATP Miami Open defending champion John Isner 6-1, 6-4.

Federer, who has skipped the whole clay court season for the past two years, declared the triumph over the big-serving American in just 63 minutes was an ideal performance from which to launch a French Open bid.

"I will have to take baby steps going back onto the clay, I have played so little in the last few years so I don't know what to expect but what this win does is takes even more pressure off me," Federer said.

"Already just how I've been playing and moving here makes me believe just going on vacation now, a bit of a break, and then preparation, you physically I should be fine, but again, we'll see how the body is going to react.

"I am excited. It’s a good challenge," added Federer of trying to dethrone Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros when the second Grand Slam of the season begins on May 26.

Federer has been in brilliant form in South Florida, recovering superbly from losing the final in Indian Wells earlier this month to emphatically beat Isner, who was badly struggling with a foot problem at the end of the title match at Hard Rock Stadium.

Federer will not appear at the next Masters event in Monte Carlo but is slated to play in Madrid at the beginning of May.

"Madrid will be 'let's see what happens' and then obviously I want to be ready for Paris and I hope all that hard work is going to pay off for the grass and hard court season," he said.

Against Isner, Federer seized control immediately as a break in the very first game sapped Isner's confidence and allowed Federer to aggressively gain control of a match which he never looked like losing, especially after the American's foot problem worsened.

Isner was struggling badly and was heard telling the trainer during a medical timeout that he feared he had broken his foot. 

"Somewhere during the first set I started feeling pain on top of my foot and it didn't go away and it just got worse," Isner said.

Isner's spirit was crushed after he dropped the first set in only 23 minutes.

"It's a terrible feeling, because you're on an island out there. You have no teammates to hide behind and going up against the greatest player ever, you know, playing in this incredible atmosphere, and my foot's killing me.

"I have never had a broken foot, but that's what I would imagine it would feel like.

"Not that I would have won the match but I could have made for a more interesting match and one that was a little more fun."

- 'Appreciate these moments' -

This was Federer's 154th tour final and his 50th ATP Masters showpiece appearance. He's in the twilight of his stellar career but has no plans to hang up his racket just yet.

"In terms of goals, it's about trying to win titles and trying to manage life so I stay injury-free," the former world number one said.

"Some days you just don't feel so well but this is a good phase, a good stretch for me right now. I really feel super healthy. That's why I have been able to play every day for the last four weeks. That's something that maybe hasn't always been the case for the last few years.

"So you appreciate these moments."

Isner's booming serve failed to fire and there was to be no repeat of their last meeting at the Paris Masters 2015 when Federer was defeated in a third round encounter.

To give the Swiss eight break chances in the first set spoke volumes about the sudden ineffectiveness of the Isner service game - he took only 50% of points on his first serve during the opener.

With Isner hurting, Federer, who finished with a perfect 100% of points won on his first serve, wasted no time in the second set wrapping up his 28th Masters title.

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Federer beats Anderson to set up Shapovalov clash

Roger Federer gained a measure of revenge against Wimbledon nemesis Kevin Anderson, beating the South African 6-0 6-4 at the Miami Open on Thursday to set up a mouthwatering semi-final against a player barely half his age.

Federer will have little time to rest his 37-year-old legs before his clash against 19-year-old Denis Shapovalov, the highly regarded Canadian talent tipped for future Grand Slam success.

Twentieth seed Shapovalov won his battle of 'Next Gen' hustlers 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2 against American Frances Tiafoe.

Shapovalov is one of two Canadian teenagers in the semis, with 18-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime to play defending champion John Isner in the daytime, before Federer and Shapovalov face off under lights.

Federer has won 100 career titles, 100 more than Shapovalov, and was looking forward to the pair's first match-up.

"He's one of the big shotmakers in the game. I love his forehand," Federer said.

"It's an exciting draw for John and for myself here, playing these young guys. They are not just young, but they are very good, as well."

The Swiss raced through the first set against Anderson, the man who came from two sets down to beat him in a quarter-final marathon at Wimbledon last year.

Anderson took nine games to get on the board but eventually found his groove and broke back with a series of return winners to level at 3-3 in the second set.

Federer struck the decisive blow at 4-4, however, winning a marathon game of 22 points and clinching the break with a fortuitous backhand return down the line.

"I hit it late and that's why it went short," he said of the shot. "That's not what I wanted to do but maybe what it took. I got a bit lucky there at the end."

CANADIAN TENNIS ON THE RISE

Shapovalov broke Tiafoe four times and could hardly stop smiling at the prospect of playing Federer.

"It's definitely a matchup I have been looking forward to my whole life," he said.

"It's going to be a dream come true to play him in such a big event. The stakes are so high, semi-final of a Masters 1000 against your idol, it's just a dream come true."

Shapovalov also spoke about what appears to be a bright future for Canadian tennis.

He and Auger-Aliassime are in the Miami semis less than two weeks after 18-year-old Bianca Andreescu won the WTA tournament at Indian Wells.

"It's kind of crazy to share this with Felix," Shapovalov said.

"I was just thinking in the locker room how far back we go, from the national groupings when we were eight and nine years old, so it's so crazy to see how far we have come.

"It's really great to see him doing well. Honestly, it's not a shocker for me that he's gone this far, that he's doing so well." (Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Ian Ransom)

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Tennis: Federer through, Andreescu out in Miami

MIAMI -- Roger Federer remains on course for the 101st title of his career after Serbian Filip Krajinovic was dispatched 7-5 6-3 on Monday at the ATP and WTA Miami Open.

The Swiss superstar produced an excellent all-round performance despite being tested by the world number 103 who belied his lowly ranking by producing some excellent tennis during an exciting first set.

Federer, however, stylishly weathered the storm to seal the win - the 52nd of his career in Miami - to move into the quarter-finals and a match with either American Reilly Opelka or Daniil Medvedev.

"It was a difficult start, he's a great returner so I knew I had to up my percentages and I served really well," said Federer, who hit 14 aces and won an impressive 74% of points on his first serve.

"It was more humid today so I am just delighted to get through."

Krajinovic struggled badley with injury last year, problems with his ankle, left foot and hand restricting him to just seven tournaments in the first seven months of 2018.

Yet the Serb had looked impressive in his run to the third round, especially after dispatching Stan Wawrinka on the way to Monday's meeting with Federer.

Some fierce hitting from the back of the court surprised the predictably pro-Federer crowd at Hard Rock Stadium and a brilliant run and flick over the net handed helped set up an early break for 3-2.

Keeping the pressure on, however, was a different matter. 

Federer immediately broke back and although chances continued to present themselves to Krajinovic - he missed the opportunity to break the Swiss star’s serve at 5-5 - it was the 20 time Grand Slam winning champion who prevailed.

At 6-5, Federer went 15-40 up on the Serbian's service game and another backhand winner gave the 37-year-old the lead.

The second set wasn't as competitive, Federer easing 3-0 up as the wind was taken out of the Serb's sails. 

He lost the final game to love with the three time Miami Open winner easing home in style to finish with 36 winners compared to the 27 year-old's 18.

In the women's draw, Bianca Andreescu, the 18-year-old Canadian sensation who won the title in Indian Wells, was forced to withdraw in the second set of her fourth round match with Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit.

Andreescu was 1-6 0-2 down before a shoulder injury ruined her chances of another run to the finals.

Petra Kvitova, the world number 3, booked her place in the last eight, beating Caroline Garcia 6-3 6-3 in a match which was held up for one hour and 40 minutes because of rain in South Florida. 

Kvitova plays Australian Ashleigh Barty for a place in the semi-finals.

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Tennis: Halep battles into Miami 4th round clash with Venus

MIAMI -- Simona Halep kept alive hopes of regaining the world number one ranking Sunday, beating Polona Hercog 5-7, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the WTA and ATP Miami Open.

The 27-year-old lost her place at the top of the women’s game following Naomi Osaka's triumph at the Australian Open earlier this year.

But with the Japanese faltering here on Saturday, Halep can return to the position she last held at the end of 2018 if she lands the Miami Open for the first time.

The Romanian, who will also move up the to the top of the rankings if she reaches the final and Petra Kvitova doesn't win the title, will certainly have to put in a better display than the patchy performance which eventually sent the gutsy Hercog, the world number 93 from Slovenia, out.

"She played unbelievable and it was such a tough match," said Halep, who belted 48 winners compared to her opponent's 38 but won just 31% of points on her first serve.

"It was good to play for almost three hours though. I slowly found my rhythm but I always had belief so if I can keep doing this, I will have a good tournament.”

She next faces seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, who swept past Russian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-1.

Halep, the 2018 French Open champion and current world number three, arrived in Miami having failed to get past the round of 16 in Indian Wells and the quarter-finals in Dubai.

She started sluggishly on the center court at Hard Rock Stadium, where Hercog moved into an early 3-1 lead.

Halep finally broke back for 4-4 but another sloppy game handed Hercog the opportunity to grab a first set lead which she duly took.

Halep was far more solid in the second, despite missing the chance to draw level when she was broken serving at 5-3 and Hercog kept her nerve make it 5-5.

As the clock ticked past two hours, a brilliant drop shot by Hercog ensured a second set tie break only for Halep to emphatically win it 7-1 before the decider was sealed for the Romanian when she held to love after 2 hours and 50 minutes.

On the men's side, defending champion John Isner blew Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas off court with serves touching 139 mph as the American sealed an ultimately comprehensive 7-5, 7-6 (8-6) win.

He was broken in the very first game but responded by hitting a total of 16 aces to set up an intriguing match with Kyle Edmund in the last 16 after the British number one impressively saw off Canadian Milos Raonic 6-4 6-4.

"I did a lot of things well," Isner said. "I played a good first set, even though I didn't start it off well. In the second, it wasn't quite as clean. But I'm into the Round of 16 of a big tournament and I'm happy."

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Tennis: Djokovic passes Delbonis test to reach Miami 4th round

MIAMI -- Novak Djokovic remains on course for a record seventh Miami Open title, but the world number one was made to fight all the way to the last 16 in a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 victory over spirited Federico Delbonis.

Djokovic is hoping to eclipse Andre Agassi’s six ATP crowns in South Florida over the next week and although the 31-year-old endured some shaky moments at Hard Rock Stadium, he still possessed enough quality during the key moments to see off the battling Delbonis.

The Serbian wasn't happy with letting a 5-2 advantage slip in the first set and became furious with himself as the second squirmed from his grasp.

He will need to tighten up his game if he is to reach next Sunday’s final with Roberto Bautista Agut waiting in the fourth round after the Spaniard defeated Italian Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-4.

"Federico is playing well and it was really close at the start of the third set," said Djokovic who smashed 36 winners compared to 24 from Delbonis -- whose excellent performance was punctuated with five double faults and a 67% success rate on his first serve.

"It was an exciting match and I am just pleased that I managed to hold my nerve," Djokovic said. "I got down on myself and Federico started swinging."

Djokovic had looked impressive in the second round win over Bernard Tomic and the Serbian continued his decent form by immediately imposing himself onto the Argentine.

The world number 83 struggled to contain Djokovic who was serving superbly and an early break saw the 15 time Grand Slam winner gain control.

Djokovic moved 5-2 ahead but after he missed a set point opportunity on the Delbonis serve, his game deserted him and suddenly, the South American had a spring in his step.

Delbonis had opportunities to steal ahead, yet calling on all his experience and mental resolve, the Serbian was able to hold firm and take the opener.

Delbonis continued to be competitive and brilliantly hit back after being broken for 3-1 which saw Djokovic hurl his racquet to the ground in utter frustration and receive a warning from the umpire.

The Argentine was hitting the ball superbly, especially from the back of the court, and another brilliant winner handed him two break opportunities which were taken when Djokovic sprayed long.

The world number one was getting incredibly frustrated yet credit to Delbonis who stayed calm and served out confidently to force a decider, something which looked beyond him midway through the opening set.

He couldn’t keep the pressure on, however, and when Djokovic managed to get 3-1 ahead, this time there was no way back for the 28 year-old from Azul who rightly received an ovation from the center court crowd for his monumental efforts.

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Tennis: Serena Williams withdraws from Miami Open with knee injury

Serena Williams has withdrawn from the Miami Open with a left knee injury, tournament officials said on Saturday. 

It is the second consecutive WTA event in which the American has been unable to continue, after her retirement from last week's tournament in Indian Wells with a viral illness.

"I am disappointed to withdraw from the Miami Open due to a left knee injury," the former world number one said in a statement.

"I hope to be back next year to play at this one-of-a-kind tournament in front of the incredible fans here in Miami."

The eight-times Miami champion had begun the tournament with a tough three-set victory over Sweden's Rebecca Peterson, winning 6-3 1-6 6-1 on Friday.

"I knew I could play a lot better than I was playing," Williams had said afterwards of her error-ridden second set.

"I just said, 'Okay, you're better than this, Serena.'"

At Indian Wells, Williams had claimed a 7-5, 6-3 victory over two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka before being forced to retire from her third round match against Garbine Muguruza, when trailing 6-3, 1-0. 

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina Editing by Ian Chadband)

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Tennis: Federer fights back to beat Albot in Miami

Roger Federer rallied from a set down to beat Moldovan surprise package Radu Albot 4-6 7-5 6-3 in a stuttering start to the 20-times Grand Slam champion's Miami Open campaign on Saturday.

Federer, beaten by Dominic Thiem in last week's BNP Paribas Open final, smashed 14 aces and broke Albot twice to advance to the third round but it was far from plain sailing for the 37-year-old against the world number 46.

After dropping the first set, Federer broke Albot while leading 6-5 in the second with a backhand volley winner.

Albot could not convert a break point in the deciding set tied a 3-3, and the Swiss took command from there to wrap up a match that lasted two hours and 10 minutes.

Three-times Miami champion Federer finished with 38 winners but had to overcame 41 unforced errors to defeat Albot, who earned an ovation from the crowd for his efforts.

Earlier on Saturday, South Africa’s Kevin Anderson made a winning return to competition with a 6-4 3-6 6-3 victory over rising Spaniard Jaume Munar.

After more than two months away from the court with an elbow injury, the world number seven smashed 17 aces en route to the second round win over the 21-year-old Munar.

It was Anderson's first tournament appearance since the Australian Open in January and he said he was happy with the way his elbow felt.

"To get through in three sets, it felt really good to be back out there. I’m happy with how the elbow responded. I feel like I’m hitting the ball great," the sixth seed added.

“It’s always different playing matches than hitting in practice, but I’ve been able to up my load and how much I’m able to serve. That’s really encouraging and that’s why I felt good coming into this week.

“I’ve been able to do everything but hit serves recently. I always had the confidence that as soon as I got over that hurdle, I was going to find my form pretty quickly.”

Two of Russia’s young prospects, Karen Khachanov and Daniil Medvedev, were also Saturday winners.

The 10th seed Khachanov beat Australian Jordan Thompson 6-2 6-3 while his friend Medvedev, the 13th seed, toppled France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-2 6-1.

Eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas easily beat Mackenzie McDonald 7-6(4) 6-1.

In other early action, Belgian David Goffin, the 18th seed, defeated Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-4 6-1, while Canadian 20th seed Denis Shapovalov came from a set down to beat Britain’s Dan Evans 4-6 6-1 6-3. 

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina, Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Ian Chadband/Peter Rutherford)

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Tennis: World number one Osaka stunned by Hsieh in Miami

The Miami Open lost two of its biggest drawcards on Saturday with world number one Naomi Osaka suffering a shock third-round loss to Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei after eight-times champion Serena Williams withdrew due to a knee injury.

The 33-year-old Hsieh came from a set down to prevail 4-6 7-6(4) 6-3 as her unorthodox style frustrated, perplexed and finally wore down U.S. and Australian Open champion Osaka.

Osaka, who lost in the fourth round at Indian Wells and could lose her number one ranking depending on how others do in the tournament, said the mental side of her game had let her down.

"I just think I got too emotional, which is something I did last match, too," she said. "I would just say I was kind of immature today. I was thinking too much."

Hsieh had lost her two previous matches with Osaka, including a hard-fought contest in Melbourne in January, but came back from a break down in each of the last two sets, saving eight of the 12 break points she faced.

The Taiwanese had knocked out then world number one Simona Halep at Wimbledon last year and again demonstrated her range of clever shot making against a much more powerful opponent.

"It’s always great to pick up a better level during the match," Hsieh said.

"Every time you’ve made it and you beat a good player, you feel: ‘Wow, this is everything. This is so amazing, and I’ve made it.'"

DEPRESSING

Osaka looked on course for a straightforward win after she broke for a 5-4 lead in the opener then delivered an ace to serve out the set.

Serving for the match at 5-4 in the second, Osaka's charge began to wilt and Hsieh fought back with some brilliant tennis to take it to a tiebreak before levelling the match with a lovely passing winner.

At 3-3 in the third set, Hsieh took advantage of Osaka's ineffective serve and mounting error count to get a key break and had no trouble holding for a 5-3 lead.

A delightful dropshot winner finally put paid to an exasperated Osaka's resistance, sealing another break and the victory after two hours and 18 minutes of play.

Osaka had won 63 straight matches after taking the first set but Hsieh's victory brought that run to an end and set up a fourth round meeting with Caroline Wozniacki, who beat Romanian qualifier Monica Niculescu 6-4 7-6(4).

"It's depressing," Osaka said of the streak coming to an end. "I know that record. I was thinking about it right after I lost."

Asked if she might have underestimated Hsieh, Osaka said: "I don't think I ever underestimated her because all the times I played her was three sets. In Australia, honestly she should have won but I found a way to win it.

"I think maybe today I overestimated myself maybe in a way."

The stunning upset came after the tournament had earlier lost American great Williams to a left knee injury.

It is the second consecutive WTA event she has been forced to retire from after she withdrew from last week's tournament in Indian Wells with a viral illness

Earlier, world number two Petra Kvitova needed three sets and more than two and a half hours to beat Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-4 3-6 6-4 in a clash of heavy hitters.

The two-time Wimbledon champion seed will meet Caroline Garcia in the fourth round after the Frenchwoman knocked out 15th seeded German Julia Goerges 6-0 7-5. 

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Ian Chadband/Peter Rutherford)

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Tennis: Djokovic ready to play tennis, not politics, at Miami Open

World number one Novak Djokovic on Wednesday dismissed any suggestion of friction with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as tennis politics spilled over to the Miami Open.

Tension between the three biggest names in men's tennis appeared on the rise after Djokovic, president of the ATP Player Council, rebuffed a request by Federer to meet during the BNP Paribas in Indian Wells earlier this month to discuss the future of ATP chairman Chris Kermode.

Despite a tenure which brought record prize money and growth, Kermode was ousted as ATP chief when players' representatives on the ATP Board failed to endorse an extension of the Englishman's contract.

As head of the 10 member Player Council Djokovic had been pushing for change while Federer and Nadal backed Kermode or at the least felt the issue needed more discussion.

"I saw Roger today, we were in the opening ceremony cutting the ribbon on center court," said Djokovic during his pre-tournament press conference on Wednesday. "We had a small chat there was no time to talk about the political stuff.

"That is hopefully something we will have time in the next few days to go through.

"It's not necessary for you guys to create any tensions between us. In contrary I have a very good relations with both of them."

With Kermode's status decided Federer said on Wednesday that he is still willing to talk to Djokovic but with the decision made saw no urgency to meet.

"A lot of stuff has been decided already so we'll see if this week is going to happen or not but we are not chasing each other at this point," said Federer. "If it happens, it happens."

For his part Djokovic appeared eager to wash his hands of the entire affair reminding everyone that it was the three players representatives on the ATP board that voted not to renew Kermode's contract and not the Player Council, which was only part of the discussion.

The Serb added that if Federer and Nadal have opinions they were welcome to share them with the Player Council at any time.

"The player council is only part of the structure," said Djokovic. "We are not part of the board or deciding anything that is voted on later on.

"We are in consultation and collaboration with our player board representatives.

"Board members are the ones voting on what they think is appropriate for the players side.

"Federer and Nadal have been icons of our sport for so many years and their opinions are extremely important to everyone.

"If they want to be active and part of it, either officially or unofficially, I think it's only positive news for us.

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Tennis: Osaka faces lawsuit questions on Miami homecoming

World number one Naomi Osaka arrived at the Miami Open on Wednesday to face questions about a multi-million dollar lawsuit for allegedly failing to honor a contract with a former coach.

According to the lawsuit filed in Florida’s state court on Feb. 7 and seen by Reuters, Christophe Jean says he began coaching Osaka and older sister Mari in 2011.

Jean says he entered into a services contract with their father Francois in March 2012 that would pay him 20 percent of Osaka's future earnings.

Osaka's attorney Alex Spiro described the lawsuit as a "false claim" that has no merit.

Osaka, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise and won the last two grand slams to reach number one in the world, has career earnings of $10.8 million and has made millions more in endorsements.

Jean says that he signed a contract that would pay him a share of Osaka's future earnings as her family were unable to pay the going rate for coaching.

Asked about the lawsuit during her pre-tournament news conference Osaka, who grew up less than three miles from Hard Rock Stadium, the new home of the Miami Open, said: "I'm not allowed to say anything. I am unable to make a comment."

Spiro, however, said Jean was an opportunist looking to cash in.

"While it comes as no surprise that Naomi's meteoric rise as an international icon and inspiration would lead to some false claim, this silly “contract” that Naomi never saw or signed -- which purports to give away part of herself at the age of 14 -- is particularly absurd," Spiro told Reuters in an email. "This case has no merit and we will move past it."

The 21-year-old U.S.-based Japanese player raised eyebrows last month when she announced she was parting with coach Sascha Bajin, who guided her to the Australian and U.S. Open titles.

That split, however, appeared amicable with both Osaka and Bajin wishing each other the best for the future.

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Tennis: Isner stuns Del Potro to reach Miami final

John Isner produced a blistering Miami Open semi-final display against crowd favourite Juan Martin del Potro to win 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) and snap the former US Open champion's 15-match winning streak.

It was a phenomenal effort from the American who blasted down 13 aces and took just one hour and 23 minutes to floor Argentina's Del Potro and book his place in Sunday's final.


Isner will meet either Alexander Zverev or Pablo Carreno Busta, who play their last four match later Friday.

Isner, 32, arrived in South Florida with just six wins to his name in 2018 but has improved with every match in Key Biscayne and is now eyeing his first ATP Masters title.

"I have played a lot of big matches and not been able to get such a good start but I am playing some of the best tennis I have played in such a long time," Isner said.

"I am so happy. He is so tired and has played so many games and although the first set was quick I knew it wouldn't be like that in the second.

"I didn't think I could turn it around like this after the year I have had so far. I started the tournament well and I have improved with every game.

"I am super fresh and ready to go for the final."

An exhausted Del Potro said he is looking forward to some much-needed time away from tennis before deciding on when to play next.

Winning the final would have seen him climb to world number three but simply staying fit for the French Open in May is the ultimate goal.

- French Open target -

"I don't want to think about tennis right now," said the Argentine.

"I just want to stay healthy and maybe I will miss a few tournaments to get ready for the French Open. We will come up with a schedule for the clay court season.

"I will go home now, eat some barbeque, spend time with friends and not talk about tennis for the next few weeks."

Isner, who won an impressive 83% of points on his second serve, was aiming to reach his fifth ATP Masters final and, finally, emerge victorious from one after four defeats.

The American had never reached the showpiece here but knew that with the fit again del Potro in such devastating form and unbeaten in his last 15 matches, it would take a monumental effort to upset the Argentine and his hordes of followers at Crandon Park.

The American wasted no time in breaking del Potro and racing into a 3-0 lead while sending down five aces on his own serve to brilliantly wrap up the first set in just 27 minutes.

The second set was a tight, emotional affair, going into the ninth game with the match delicately poised at 4-4.

Isner suddenly had a chance to break which was saved by del Potro after the world number 17 hit the net, a mistake which was punished by an ace and drop shot from the crowd favourite.

Deafening chants of 'Delpo, Delpo' rang around the main stadium here as the 29-year-old tried to force a deciding set yet Isner's serve held firm to force a tie-break.

The momentum was with the American, his serve reaching 136 mph as he flew into a 3-0 lead.

Isner's serve was relentless and on target every single time making it impossible for Del Potro to get a foothold in the game, and when an excellent passing shot gave Isner four match points, he took the first with a brilliant drop volley to complete one of the finest wins of his career.

"He served so well and was too good for me," concluded del Potro.

"When he plays like that, he’s one of the toughest guys on tour to beat."

str/rcw

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Venus, Azarenka march into Miami quarter-finals

Venus Williams upended defending champion Johanna Konta 5-7 6-1 6-2 on Monday to reach the Miami Open quarter-finals while a dominant Victoria Azarenka also advanced with a straightforward win over Agnieszka Radwanska.

Three-times champion Williams stormed back from an early deficit to cruise past the British 11th seed, who needed several bouts of treatment on her lower back throughout a match that lasted two hours and 19 minutes.

Perhaps more impressive was that Williams, who turns 38 in June, was able to look so in control despite playing a day after spending nearly three hours on the court for her third round clash against Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens.

Former world number one Azarenka, in only her second event after an eight-month absence because of a custody dispute involving her son, also looked sharp throughout her 6-2 6-2 win over 30th-seeded Pole Radwanska.

The Belarussian, competing as a wild card, won 79 percent of her first service points and needed only 82 minutes to prevail in a clash between former Miami champions.

Up next for the 28-year-old is Czech fifth seed Karolina Pliskova, who advanced to the last eight after Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan was forced to retire injured while trailing 6-2 2-1.

Former world number one Pliskova was efficient from the start and did not drop a point on her first serves in the entire match against Diyas, who took multiple medical time-outs and was visibly struggling with her movement.

Sloane Stephens raised her game to levels similar to last year when she won the U.S. Open as she beat Spanish third seed Garbine Muguruza 6-3 6-4 and secure passage to the quarter-finals.

The American 13th seed dictated play against the Wimbledon champion from the start by taking eight of the first nine points of the match.

After securing a break in the fifth game of the second set, Stephens sent Muguruza packing with a backhand on the line on her second match point.

Stephens, who equalled her best result in Miami having also reached the quarter-finals in 2015, will next face German 10th seed Angelique Kerber, a 6-7(1) 7-6(5) 6-3 winner over Chinese qualifier Wang Yafan.

Ukrainian fourth seed Elina Svitolina also advanced with a 7-5 6-4 win over Australian Ashleigh Barty.

French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko will cap the night session with her clash against ninth-seeded Czech Petra Kvitova.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Nadal rallies to reach fourth round in Miami

MIAMI -- Rafael Nadal came back from an awful first set to defeat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 and advance to the fourth round of the Miami Open on Sunday.

The Spaniard, playing his 1,000th ATP match, suffered just the 14th 0-6 set of his career, claiming just 33 percent of first serve points won and making a string of unforced errors.

After looking badly out of sorts, Nadal was able to rediscover his form in the second set and in the end ran out a comfortable winner.

Nadal will next face France's Nicolas Mahut, who beat Argentine Guido Pella 6-4 6-3.

Japan's Kei Nishikori came through a tough test against Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 7-6 (7/2), 6-7(5/7) 6-1.

Last year's beaten finalist, Nishikori will face Argentine Federico Del Bonis, who beat Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.

Verdasco has yet to post a win against a top ten opponent this year but showed plenty of spirit in a two hours 44 minute contest on center court at Crandon Park fighting back to win a second set tie-break.

But Nishikori stepped up in the third, running away with the set to ensure his progress.

"I knew it was going to be a tough one," Nishikori said. "Fernando is a very solid player. He has a great serve and great groundstrokes. I knew it was going to be long rallies.

"But it was a shame when I was up a break in both first and second sets and both went to 7-6. I made some mistakes when I was up a break. But in the third set I was very focused," he added.

Injury-plagued world number five Milos Raonic pulled out of the tournament shortly before his match against American Jared Donaldson, citing a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

Canada's Raonic originally suffered the injury in the semi-final at Delray Beach and was forced to forfeit the final against American Jack Sock. He then missed this month's Masters event at Indian Wells.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Djokovic beats Goffin to reach Miami Open final

Top seed Novak Djokovic overcame a strong challenge from Belgium's David Goffin to reach the Miami Open final with a 7-6(5) 6-4 victory on Friday as he continued his pursuit of a fifth title in six years on Key Biscayne.

The Serbian world number one shrugged off a slow start in tough on-court conditions before hitting his stride, and sealed the win with a powerful first serve that forced a wayward Goffin return to end an encounter that lasted just over two hours.

Australian Open champion Djokovic improved his stellar record for the year to 27-1 and will next face Japan's Kei Nishikori, who ousted Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3 7-5 in the second semi-final.

The 28-year-old Djokovic, a five-times champion in Miami, is bidding to match Andre Agassi's record of six titles at the event and earn a record 28th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown.

"It was windy, it was humid, it was warm," Djokovic told reporters. "It was like everything was thrown out there.

"And to overcome those obstacles and conditions was something that I'm proud of. I managed to stay tough in the right moments."

Djokovic, whose only defeat this year came in February when he retired against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in Dubai due to an eye infection, applauded Goffin's performance.

"He plays very clean," Djokovic said. "Also, I think he improved his serve. I had difficulty reading it. Physically, it was a great battle with lots of exchanges from the baseline."

With Goffin initially playing much steadier from the baseline in the Miami heat, Djokovic came under intense early pressure and saved three break points in the opening game before holding serve.

Djokovic and Goffin traded service breaks in the seventh and eighth games before battling to a tie-break which the Serb clinched 7-5 after his opponent, reaching high for a lob, hit a backhand volley into the net.

The second set went with serve until the seventh game when 15th seed Goffin hit a forehand long before netting a backhand to be broken and trail 3-4.

Djokovic then comfortably served out to book his place in Sunday's final at Crandon Park where he will seek to add another Miami crown to his titles from 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014 and last year.

Goffin, 25, who reached his first Masters 1000 semi-final in Indian Wells two weeks ago, is projected to climb to a career-high 13th in the world rankings on Monday.

Nishikori made his first Miami final by taking out brash young Australian Kyrgios in some style.

"It's a great feeling to be in my first final in Miami and it was very good playing today so I'm very happy," said the sixth seeded Japanese.

"In the second set I got a little bit tight after I broke his service game and I tried to be focused on what I had to do on my service game and the last couple of points I tried to be aggressive."

While happy to get through he was under no illusions of what lay ahead on Sunday, when he will be looking to break a five-match losing streak against the Serbian world number one.

"It's going to be tough for sure," he admitted.

"He's been playing well and we just played in Australia and I lost in three sets so I will have to do something better.

"I hope can play another good match." (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes/Ben Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by Larry Fine/Nick Mulvenney)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Azarenka avenges Kerber loss to reach Miami final

In-form Victoria Azarenka battled past an ailing but determined second seed Angelique Kerber to set up a Miami Open final showdown against Svetlana Kuznetsova with a 6-2 7-5 victory on Thursday.

With the victory, the 13th-seeded Belarusian gained revenge for a quarter-final loss to the second-seeded German at the Australian Open, her only defeat of the season, but had to fight tooth and nail to earn it in a 94-minute tussle.

Kerber, who had her upper left leg covered in heavy strapping, looked dead and buried on several occasions in the second set but was able to stay alive with a gutsy break when Azarenka served for the match at 5-4.

Parity was short-lived, however, as Kerber handed back the break in the next game and Azarenka did not waste another opportunity to seal the deal to move one win away from a third Miami title and second straight tournament triumph.

"I am very happy I stayed really strong in the end and actually started really well," Azarenka, who beat Serena Williams to claim the Indian Wells title on March 20, said in a courtside interview.

"I started to dictate (early) and I think the beginning was really important," she added of the victory over the Australian Open champion.

KUZNETSOVA NEXT

"She's such a fighter and an amazing player. I'm glad I kept pushing and kept trying to break her rhythm. Glad I stayed really strong.

"For me it was really painful to watch my match from the Australian Open and I'm really glad that I corrected my errors there and improved my serve. Although there were a lot of breaks, when I needed it, it came strong."

As well as avenging the Melbourne defeat, Azarenka improved to 7-1 in head-to-head meetings against the German and took her 2016 record to an impressive 21-1.

Next up for the 26-year-old is Kuznetsova in the final, after the Russian held off a strong challenge from Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky 7-5 6-3 in searing afternoon heat.

The 15th-seed relied on a never-say-die attitude and a powerful baseline game as she improved her career record to 3-0 against the Swiss, ending the match with a crunching backhand crosscourt winner after nearly two hours on court.

"I am happy that I could hang in there and never let my hands down," Kuznetsova, who won the Miami title in 2006, said courtside.

"I have not been feeling my best but I have been fighting every ball and just trying to run as much as I could.

"I was praying to finish it in two sets so I can have a little bit of time to rest," smiled the Russian, referring to Saturday's final.

Kuznetsova, who pulled off a stunning upset when she ousted world number one Williams in the fourth round, won a tight opening set after ending a brilliant baseline slugfest between the two with an overhead smash.

Though she failed to hold serve in the first game of the second set, the Russian broke her 19th-seeded opponent in the second and fourth games to lead 3-1, then fought back from 15-40 down on serve in the ninth to seal victory. (Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes and Benjamin Everill in Los Angeles; Editing by John O'Brien)

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com