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ATP Miami: Monday Order of Play, Isner faces Dimitrov

By Geoff Nichols

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ATP Miami: Monday Order of Play, Isner faces Dimitrov

The third round of the Miami Masters resumes on Monday, with tennis fans reeling from a day of upsets that saw a number of high profile seeds crashing out on Sunday. Rafael Nadal and Stan Wawrinka were the biggest name casualties as round three began and others will be looking to avoid a similar fate.

Bernard Tomic looked set to compound an already bad day for the top seeds as he served for a straight sets victory against Thomas Berdych. The Czech player showed remarkable shot making in the clutch moments, including staving off match points, to edge through.

Rafael Nadal looked like a shadow of his former self against compatriot Fernando Verdasco and despite winning a set, he never really had a foothold in the match. Credit must go to Nadal for fighting until the end, but he will likely have some serious worries about the state of his game, even if he insists it is more mental than physical.

Adrian Mannarino made his case for upset of the day, pulling off a vastly impressive straight sets win over Stan Wawrinka, turning the momentum around in the second set and winning it on a tie-break when everyone seemed ready for a third and deciding set.

Monday 30th Schedule

STADIUM

Start 3:00pm

[31] Jeremy Chardy (FRA) v [5] Milos Raonic (CAN)

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v [Q] Steve Darcis (BEL)

Not Before 7:30 pm

[9] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) v [22] John Isner (USA)

Not Before 9:00 pm

[3] Simona Halep (ROU) v [15] Flavia Pennetta (ITA)

GRANDSTAND

Start 10:50 am

[4] Kei Nishikori (JPN) v [32] Viktor Troicki (SRB)

Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) v Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)

Not Before 3:00 pm

[26] Lukas Rosol (CZE) v [6] David Ferrer (ESP)

Not Before 5:00 pm

[12] Gilles Simon (FRA) v [Q] Alejandro Falla (COL)

COURT 1

Start 12:00 am

[18] David Goffin (BEL) v Jerzy Janowicz (POL)

Game of the Day – Isner v Dimitrov

The third round match up between John Isner and Grigor Dimitrov is an absolute treat and offers contrasting styles that could well lead to an exciting match. Isner seems like a different person on the American hard courts and seems to be fired up that little bit more for matches on home soil.

He came unstuck against Novak Djokovic last week in Indian Wells, but managed to really test the Serb and will need a similar performances against Dimitrov. The Bulgarian has had a patchy start to 2015 after showing so much promise last year.

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The way he dismantled Vasek Pospisil 6-2 6-2 in the second round is ominous, however, and suggests that he is beginning to find his best form. His return game along with his movement tend to be his best strengths and this should balance well with Isner’s aggressive style.

This game is in the hands of Dimitrov. If he shows up mentally, he should be able to get through, but that mental fortitude has been sorely lacking at times this season. Inser will have chances and will have to be brave on the big points, which he was doing against Djokovic.

Prediction – Dimitrov in three

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Next: Will Stan Wawrinka be a one slam wonder?

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