Sony Ericsson Open (ATP Miami) – Monday 19th March until Sunday 1st April 2012
Rafael Nadal wasn’t quite able to make it four successive outright tournament tips for me last week when losing in straight sets to Roger Federer in the semi finals at Indian Wells. Nadal appeared to struggle somewhat in the blustery conditions and I have to say I was rather hopeful he’d win the tournament, especially with his impressive recent head-to-head record against Federer, in addition to Novak Djokovic having been eliminated by John Isner earlier in the day. It wasn’t to be however and so we move onto the second ATP Masters 100 tournament of the season in Miami, Florida.
Having spent a couple of days taking in some racing at the Cheltenham Festival last week, my tennis viewing was at a premium towards the latter stages of the Indian Wells event. I did however witness Andy Murray’s early elimination at the hands of Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. Perhaps the highlight for many last week at Prestbury Park was Scotland’s Brindisi Breeze winning the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on Friday and I’m sure Andy Murray will be keen to keep the flag flying for his home nation. The chances of this happening however may be a little on the slim side.
Murray’s recent record in Miami hardly exudes positivity. Despite winning the tournament in 2009, he has been eliminated in his first match on four of the six occasions that he has participated. Couple this with his timid exit in California and you have to say it’d take a brave man (or a foolish one) to side with the Scot over the next ten days. Murray’s draw could have been a lot easier., he’s likely to face two in-form players in the shape of Denis Istomin who was a finalist in San Jose last month, and Canadian Milos Raonic, the man who defeated Istomin in that very final. Both Istomin and Raonic could argue they are playing the best tennis of their careers right now and both could cause Murray some very serious problems. So we have poor current form, poor tournament form, and a tricky draw to overlook if we’re prepared to place ourselves in Murray’s corner this week and I think there are certainly more viable options.
Some areas of the media are suggesting that a few chinks were appearing in the Djokovic armour last week but I just can’t have that. Isner served superbly and I can only imagine how disheartening it must be to see 130 mph serves flying past you time after time. In fairness, Djokovic had chances to break the Isner serve, won more 1st and 2nd serve points, and even won more 1st and 2nd serve return points. Such is the fine line between winning and losing at top-level tennis these days, Djokovic just wasn’t able to see off the talented American who this week broke into the World’s top 10 for the first time in his career.
Arguably the odds of 3.0 on BETDAQ scream value for a player in scintillating form of late and I wouldn’t put anyone off taking the Serbian to win his third Miami title.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, or even a couple of the players looking to break into the top four such as Juan Martin Del Potro, Tomas Berdych, or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga cannot be taken lightly. I just feel that Djokovic will take all the beating and with proven tournament form, he’s the most likely champion in my eyes.
It’s likely I’ll be posting match tips on a daily basis this week so be sure to follow me on Twitter @cdquinn86 for full details
Selection – Novak Djokovic @ 3.0 on BETDAQ
Follow Chris on Twitter @cdquinn86
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