What We Like to See in Miami
Some tennis fans wonder if a back-to-back ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments can be too much. If the top players have given their all in Indian Wells, then what is left of them in Miami. Both the BNP Paribas Open and Miami Open are hard court tournaments, but there's a difference. The dry, arid landscape of California. The sunny, seaside environment in Florida. It's not hard to imagine the effects on the courts, the ball bounce in particular.
Roger Federer will skip the tournament, as he must rest and be ready for the clay court season. Except for Richard Gasquet, who is nursing a back injury, the top players will go to Miami. It will be unfair to suspect that some are thinking of the red clay in Monte Carlo. The Miami Open is another huge event, after the Grand Slam tournaments.
The draw is out. Some of us are keeping our fingers crossed for the following:
Grigor Dimitrov and Milos Raonic. Dimitrov had a tough draw in Indian Wells. He won his opening round match against Nick Kyrgios, but narrowly lost to Tommy Robredo in the next round. He's not that lucky in Miami either, as he might meet Argentina's del Potro in the second round. The 2009 US Open champion will be playing his second tournament of the year after a left wrist surgery. Some are not expecting a tight match, but experience is on the Argentinian's side. If the Bulgarian ace wins that match, he may face John Isner. Assuming the American prevails in his second-round match, then expect the Dimitrov-Isner encounter to go the distance. It will depend on Isner's serves. It's not a question with Raonic, who has been consistent during the last two seasons. Dimitrov is doing well too.
Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams. Both players have been on a remarkable comeback trail this past year. They'll meet in the fourth round, in case both win their first two matches. The days of Grand Slam glory may be over for Williams, but she can still be a contender on a good day. On the other hand, Wozniacki is still looking for her first major hardware. There's no doubt about her talent, and many believe that she can go all the way.
Vasek Pospisil and John Sock and Fabio Fognini and Simone Bolleli. The finalists in Indian Wells will likely meet in the second round in Miami. Bob and Mike Brothers, who are on the opposite side of the draw, might be relieved. Pospisil and Sock, the reigning Wimbledon doubles champion, are turning out to be strong challengers to the Bryan Brothers. Some are wondering if this partnership will last long. (Don't you think it's too early to speculate?) Fognini and Bolleli are not far behind, winning the Australian Open last January. Don't be surprised if they come out on top in Roland Garros.
Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza and Kristina Mladenovic and TÃmea Babos. Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, one of only five women's doubles team to achieve a career Grand Slam, recently called it quits. Expect Hingis and Mirza, winners at Indian Wells, to be the favorites. Both have yet to win their first major title together, but the wait might not be long. The duo can expect stiff competition from Mladenovic and Babos, one of the most exciting pairs in the tour. Experience is the difference, but it might not be an issue with the French-Hungarian duo.
