Late Thursday
Singles – First Round: T Bellucci def. (LL) D Brands 2-6 6-4 6-2
Thomaz Bellucci was supposed to face Christian Harrison, but Harrison hurt his ankle, bringing in Daniel Brands. Brands was ranked more than 300 places ahead of Harrison, but it didn’t change the result…. Bellucci adds enough points to just about assure his Top Forty ranking.
Friday
Singles – Second Round: (3) D Ferrer def. (Q) D Tursunov walkover
This made it six matches here ended by a player’s debility. Particularly depressing for Dmitry Tursunov, since he was just starting to play well again!
Singles – Second Round: (7) J Tipsarevic def. (Q) D Sela 6-2 6-4
Janko Tipsarevic’s Top Ten ranking is looking pretty secure, but there is no way he can rise above #9 this week.
Singles – Second Round: A Ramos def. (12) J Monaco 6-2 4-6 6-3
Juan Monaco seems to love to produce surprises around here. Last year, it was by making the semifinal. This year, it was by losing early. Naturally, he loses a pile of points — and his Top Fifteen ranking. He is currently at #18 in safe points; it’s just possible that he will end up below #20.
Singles – Second Round: (13) K Nishikori def. V Hanescu 6-3 6-3
Kei Nishikori needs one more win to defend his points, but his chances of staying Top Fifteen look fairly good no matter what.
Singles – Second Round: (15) T Haas def. I Sijsling 6-0 5-7 6-3
Nishikori’s #15 spot looks fairly safe because Tommy Haas is the next active player, and even with this win, he’s 155 points behind Nishikori.
Singles – Second Round: (19) A Dolgopolov def. N Davydenko 6-2 6-3
There will be no Top Forty spot for Nikolay Davydenko after all; it appears he will fall just short.
Singles – Second Round: X Malisse def. (22) J Chardy 6-3 6-2
Jeremy Chardy became the first seed to fall. He wasn’t defending anything, so he won’t fall much, but this puts his Top 25 ranking in some slight danger.
Singles – Second Round: G Zemlja def. (23) F Mayer 6-3 7-6(7-3)
Florian Mayer wasn’t far behind Chardy in the race out the door; he’s having a thoroughly unmemorable year. And he made the fourth round last year. He’ll probably lose two or three spots.
Singles – Second Round: (WC) J Blake def. (24) J Benneteau 6-2 6-3
This is turning into a nice turnaround event for James Blake. He leaves Julien Benneteau still below #25.
Singles – Second Round: J Melzer def. (31) M Granollers 6-3 6-4
Another Top Thirty chance lost by Marcel Granollers. Jurgen Melzer is still below the Top Forty, but he is within striking distance of a return.
Singles – Second Round: (32) F Fognini def. M Llodra 6-4 6-1
Fabio Fognini missed this event last year, so every point here is a bonus; he is getting close to the Top Thirty.
Doubles – First Round: (3) Bhupathi/Nestor def. Gasquet/Roger-Vasselin 7-6(7-3) 6-3
Doubles – First Round: (4) Lindstedt/Zimonjid def. Klizan/Seppi 7-6(9-7) 6-4
Doubles – First Round: Cilic/Dlouhy def. Bracciali/Knowle 7-6(12-10) 6-2
Topics: David Ferrer, Janko Tipsarevic, Juan Monaco, Kei Nishikori, Miami Master, Miami Sony Masters, Miami Sony Open, Ramos, Sports, Tennis News, Tommy Haas