Miami
Late Thursday
Singles – First Round: N Davydenko def. P Lorenzi 6-0 2-6 6-0
There was a rain delay in this match, but it wasn’t responsible for the funny scoreline; Nikolay Davydenko was up 2-0 in the third when the rain came. When they came back, he picked up where he left off. Davydenko has defended his points; anything more might be enough to make him Top Forty.
Singles – First Round: D Sela def. M Matosevic 6-2 1-6 6-4
This probably means no Top Fifty spot for Marinko Matosevic. It’s one of the better wins for Dudi Sela lately, but he remains below #100.
Singles – First Round: J Blake def. R Harrison 6-2 6-2
This is turning into a horrid year for Ryan Harrison. His ranking is already down to #88; at the rate things are going, he may not be Top Hundred much longer.
Singles – First Round: (Q) D Tursunov def. (Q) T Smyczek 7-6(7-4) 7-5
Dmitry Tursunov continues his 2013 surge — and costs Tim Smyczek another chance to hit the Top Hundred.
Friday
Singles – First Round: (Q) O Rochus def. T Ito 4-6 6-4 3-1, retired
And here we go with the retirements again…. Still, it’s big for Olivier Rochus, who earns only his second ATP win of the year. Indeed, only his second since Newport 2012.
Singles – First Round: D Goffin def. R Haase 7-6(7-4) 3-6 6-1
One of the biggest matches of the first round, since both players involved are Top Fifty. Or were; Robin Haase was defending points, and will probably fall below #50.
Singles – First Round: (Q) G Rufin def. (Q) M Copil 6-4 4-6 6-1
Guillaume Rufin is on a bit of a roll; he has now won his opener at three straight events.
Singles – First Round: A Falla def. G Soeda 7-5 6-1
Go Soeda is on a three match losing streak, and has lost his opener at four of his last five events.
Singles – First Round: V Troicki def. P Andujar 6-2 6-3
Viktor Troicki finally wins something — but he still needs one more win to defend his points.
Singles – First Round: I Dodig def. L Lacko 4-6 6-0 6-4
Lukas Lacko is failing fast — and Ivan Dodig is looking as if he just might have a chance to return to the Top Fifty soon.
Singles – First Round: B Tomic def. (Q) M Gicquel 7-5 7-6(7-3)
Bernard Tomic defends his points; two more wins might well make him Top Forty.
Singles – First Round: Y Lu def. (Q) R Ginepri 7-5 6-1
The good news is, Robby Ginepri made his first ATP main draw since last year’s U. S. Open. The bad news is, he’s still looking for his first win since Indian Wells 2012.
Singles – First Round: (WC) G Pella def. C Berlocq 2-1, retired
Perhaps not a surprise after Carlos Berlocq played three matches last week at Indian Wells, but what an event for retirements… we’ve already lost 5% of the field! Pella is now on the brink of the Top Hundred.
Singles – First Round: L Kubot def. (Q) F Dancevic 4-6 6-4 6-3
Frank Dancevic’s last ATP win was at Miami last year, so this will cost him a few more ranking spots.
Singles – First Round: D Gimeno-Traver def. D Istomin 6-2 6-4
Daniel Gimeno-Traver adds a few points. Not a lot, but they pretty well clinch his Top Fifty spot.
Singles – First Round: J Nieminen def. D Nalbandian 2-6 6-4 6-3
David Nalbandian is going to remain far below the Top Hundred. If he can’t get over this soon, he won’t get direct entry into Roland Garros and Wimbledon!
Singles – First Round: S Giraldo def. (WC) R Williams 6-2 6-4
Rhyne Williams falls to 1-5 at the ATP level.
Singles – First Round: S Bolelli def. J Levine 4-6 6-3 7-6(7-4)
Jesse Levine’s hold on the Top Hundred is getting to be very tenuous indeed.
Singles – First Round: A Bedene def. B Becker 6-4 6-3
There wasn’t that much rankings gap between these two, but Aijaz Bedene seems to be the one on the rise at present.
Doubles – First Round: (5) Qureshi/Rojer def. Janowicz/F Mayer 4-6 6-4 10-6
Funny that Jerzy Janowicz switched partners after coming so close to winning Indian Wells last week.
Doubles – First Round: (7) Llodra/Paes def. Kas/Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-5
With Radek Stepanek having been out for months, Leander Paes has been at loose ends — but you’d never know it from this.
Doubles – First Round: Almagro/Marach def. Cabal/S Gonzalez 6-3 6-4
Doubles – First Round: Huey/Inglot def. Isner/Querrey 6-4 6-3
Historically, Isner/Querrey are a very strong doubles team. It feels as if Isner’s singles problems might be affecting his doubles.