Saturday 31 March 2012

ATP Miami Final: Previews and Predictions

Novak Djokovic
Unfortunately I have not had enough time to provide updates throughout this week for the ATP draw although if you looked at my preview and predictions, you will have noticed it wasn't a great week for me! The big upset of the week came in the third round where Andy Roddick recorded only his third career win over Roger Federer in a surprising 7-6 1-6 6-4 third round victory.  Roddick could not build on this momentum though as he was ousted in the 4th round by Juan Monaco, who had a superb week knocking out Gael Monfils and Mardy Fish on his way to an impressive semi-final showing.  

My tip for the title was Rafael Nadal who pulled out of his semi-final match with Andy Murray, which was Murray's second walkover of the week having had a lucky escape in the third round when Milos Raonic was forced to pull out of the competition.  Murray will play Novak Djokovic in the final; I fancied Djokovic to fall before the semi-finals, but my predictions came unstuck when David Ferrer beat Juan Martin Del Potro in a richly entertaining 4th round clash.

This will be their third encounter of 2012 with Djokovic winning that epic at the Australian Open before Murray turned the tables in Dubai.  I think Djokovic will be victorious in this final... he has looked much fresher and sharper than in Indian Wells although he has had a few mental glitches this week as he has struggled to close out his last two matches.  Murray had a tough test against Janko Tipsarevic in the quarter-finals where he was forced to three sets, but I think having not played his semi-final will go against him...

Prediction - Djokovic d. Murray 6-4 6-4

A selection of highlights from this week below...

Just incredible from Nadal!


Highlights from Roddick's historic win


Some incredible rallies during this one... shame it didn't last longer but Ferrer looked at the very top of his game.

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