Top-ranked Novak Djokovic on Friday made a strong start in his quest for a third consecutive Miami Open title, while Roger Federer’s expected return from a two-month layoff was over before it started.
Djokovic, seeking his sixth Miami crown overall and the first “three-peat” since Andre Agassi in 2001-2003, opened by defeating Britain’s 87th-ranked Kyle Edmund 6-3, 6-3 in the ATP and WTA hardcourt event.
“I had a solid performance,” Djokovic said. “I started with the right intensity and good focus. I had slight ups and downs. I am pleased. I am looking forward to the next one.”
Photo: EPA
Djokovic, who captured his 11th Grand Slam singles crown at the Australian Open two months ago, was set to face Portugal’s Joao Sousa in yesterday’s third round as he tries to add to a trophy haul that also includes this year’s Doha and Indian Wells.
The 28-year-old Serbian is 23-1 this year and has 25 of his past 26 Miami matches, including 11 in a row.
Third-ranked Federer, a 17-time Grand Slam singles champion who underwent left knee surgery last month, withdrew from the tournament just hours before his match, citing a stomach virus.
“I have not felt great for a few days and unfortunately it got worse in the last 24 hours,” Federer said. “I was really excited to have my comeback in Miami, but I am in no condition to play. I tried to warm up this morning, but it was clear that I could not compete.”
The 34-year-old Swiss legend missed the event for the third time in four years. He won at Miami in 2005 and 2006, but has not reached the final since.
Federer has not played since losing to Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals two months ago. The next morning, Federer suffered a torn meniscus while preparing to bathe his children.
Federer had not expected to play at Miami, but recovered well from the operation and said he was excited for the opportunity.
“It is good it is a stomach problem and not the knee, so it is not a big deal,” long-time Federer rival Rafael Nadal said.
DEL POTRO EXITS
Federer was replaced by 58th-ranked lucky loser Horacio Zeballos, who made the most of his chance by defeating Argentine compatriot Juan Martin Del Potro 6-4, 6-4.
“I was sitting in the locker room playing chess and watching others playing when they told us the news. I was really happy,” Zeballos said. “I was so relaxed. I played great. I knew I was playing Juan Martin and he had more pressure than me so I played relaxed.”
It was only the third event for 366th-rated Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, in his comeback following left wrist surgery last year and he struggled with pain.
“I was suffering a little bit,” Del Potro said. “It was worse than my first match, but I hope nothing dangerous. This is a long road to get better and play tennis again. For me, it is like a surprise when I win a match. I am trying to deal with the pain. I am suffering, but I am playing tennis and that is good.”
KERBER, MUGURUZA ADVANCE
Reigning Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber and Spanish fourth-seed Garbine Muguruza, last year’s Wimbledon runner-up, reached the third round.
German second-seed Kerber cruised past Czech Barbora Strycova 6-1, 6-1, while Muguruza battled for 2 hours and 45 minutes before subduing Slovakia’s 54th-ranked Dominika Cibulkova 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 7-5.
Next up for Kerber, whose best Miami showing was a 2014 quarter-final run, is 108th-ranked Dutch qualifier Kiki Bertens. Muguruza is set to meet US wildcard Nicole Gibbs.
Spanish sixth-seed Carla Suarez Navarro was ousted by American CoCo Vandeweghe 6-4, 6-2, while Swiss seventh-seed Belinda Bencic retired with a lower back injury trailing Czech Kristyna Pliskova 4-1.
Tenth-seed Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion and three-time Miami winner, was eliminated by Russian qualifier Elena Vesnina 6-0, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2.
“I could not afford many errors and she was on,” Williams said. “It is tough to play your best tennis against an opponent so inspired that you cannot get into the match.”
Vesnina, ranked 96th in the world, next faces British 23rd-seed Johanna Konta, who defeated Montenegro’s 51st-ranked Danka Kovinic 6-4, 6-2 and is the top-seeded remaining player in her eighth of the draw.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care