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ATP Miami: Tuesday Order of Play, Murray’s tall test

By Geoff Nichols

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ATP Miami: Tuesday Order of Play, Murray’s tall test

Tuesday at the ATP Miami Masters is a big day for the men, as the fourth round is played out in it’s entirety.  All remaining sixteen players will resume their campaign on Tuesday, before returning to a split schedule for the remainder of the week.

The Stadium court will play host to a number of top matches that deserve centre court billing. Thomas Berdych against Gael Monfils is the kind of match that will escape the attention on many, but will likely be a treat to those who sit and watch.

Then there are the big guns who will take the court later in the afternoon. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray both look to peak nearer the end of big tournaments like Miami, but they will have to have their heads screwed on as they both have tricky fourth round opponents.

It may seem strange, but I would argue that Djokovic is looking just a little vulnerable in Miami. Whilst he has only dropped a set in his two matches so far and bagelled Darcis in the first set of their match, the second set was a much tighter affair and someone like Dolgopolov could trouble him.

Tuesday 31st Schedule

STADIUM

Start 11:00 am

[8] Tomas Berdych (CZE) v [17] Gael Monfils (FRA)

Not Before 2:00 pm

[15] Kevin Anderson (RSA) v [3] Andy Murray (GBR)

[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)

Not Before 9:00 pm

John Isner (USA) v [5] Milos Raonic (CAN)

GRANDSTAND

Start 10:50 am

[28] Adrian Mannarino (FRA) v Dominic Thiem (AUT)

Juan Monaco (ARG) v [29] Fernando Verdasco (ESP)

Not Before 2:30 pm

Gilles Simon (FRA) v [6] David Ferrer (ESP)

 

Not Before 5:00 pm

[4] Kei Nishikori (JPN) v [18] David Goffin (BEL)

Game of the Day – Murray v Anderson

Whilst Murray’s strong return game would suggest that Anderson doesn’t pose a significant threat to the Brit, he has lost to the South African previously. Murray leads the head to head 3-1, but Anderson possesses a serve that will make it difficult for anyone.

If the South African can achieve a high first serve percentage then tie breaks are on the cards and many people see them as much more of a lottery than any other point in the set. Murray will have to be patient and wait for his chances, especially in the tie breaks.

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It is the obvious game plan for almost everyone facing Murray, but Anderson really does have to attack and attack well. Serving and volleying will stop Murray from blocking the ball back to a length and attacking the first and second serve could bring rewards.

Murray seems focussed this week and is clearly at home on the courts where he spends his off season. I think he is on a path to the final, especially after Rafael Nadal was dumped out of the tournament. Anderson may force tie breaks, but this will be all he can muster.

Prediction – Murray in two

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