MIAMI OPEN TENNIS 2016 – RECAP & SOME RESULTS & UPDATES FROM BEAUTIFUL FLORIDA – SERENA STRETCHED TO A 3RD SET

Written by: Staff on 24th March 2016

MIAMI OPEN TENNIS 2016 - RECAP & SOME RESULTS & UPDATES FROM BEAUTIFUL FLORIDA - SERENA STRETCHED TO A 3RD SET

epa05229935 Serena Williams of the USA in action against Christina Mchale of the USA during their match at the Miami Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida, USA, 24 March 2016. EPA/RHONA WISE |

By Don Petrine

The Miami Open is considered one of the sexiest professional tennis tournaments in the world. The world’s greatest tennis players love to bring “their talents to South Beach.”

This year following Indian Wells the first order of business was for Billie Jean King, Chris Evert and Serena Williams to set the record straight with the world’s #1 men’s player Novak Djokovic about equal prize money for women.

“I feel what I said several days ago didn’t come across as well to some people.” Djokovic said. Billie Jean and Chris held a news conference with Djokovic on the hot topic of equal pay for equal play.

Men’s No. 1 ranked player Novak Djokovic of Serbia participates in a media conference in response to recent derogatory remarks made against women’s tennis at the Miami Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida, USA, 23 March 2016. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

Djokovic backtracked and cleared the air on this subject. ” I wanted to make sure that everybody understands that my intentions, not for a single second, were wrong and that obviously I feel very sorry if in any way I hurt my female colleague tennis players. I have a very good relationship with all of them. I have a huge respect for all of them.”

When Djokovic said that “Men attract more attention” and that the “stats show that the men have more spectators and the ATP should fight for more.”, he said he was influenced by the “euphoria and adrenalin after the win” at Indian Wells and wasn’t thinking clearly. Now Novak Djokovic can get down to the business of defending his title.

Serena Williams, who basically owns the tournament, having won the title eight times opens against the #62 ranked American, Christina McHale. Serena should breeze through her opening round match. On Friday two grand slam champions meet in the second round.

Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro. Del Potro looked good beating His Countryman Guido Pella, 6-0,7-6 (4) in the first round. This could be the best match of the Good Friday schedule. Another interesting match will be 18 year old American Taylor Fritz vs. 8th seeded David Ferrer. Young Fritz is excited about the chance to play the Spaniard who he says, will be the best player he has ever played against. Stay tuned.

SERENA Update:

Serena Wins Opening Match in Pursuit of 9th Title

Serena Williams defeated fellow American Cristina McHale 6-3,5-7, 6-2 in a match that brought out the compeiitive fire in the 21 time Major Champion.Serena was serving for the match at 5-2 in the 2nd set and then McHale caught fire and played at a very high level. It is obvious that Serena is very comfortable playing in Miami and would love to win another title. McHale is capable of big time tennis and brought out the best in Serena.

In other action Tim Smyczek outlasted fellow American Tommy Paul in 3 sets. 6-4,5-7,7-5

Andreas Seppi had his second win in two weeks over AMERICAN lefty Donald Young 6-3,6-1.

Topics: Atp World Tour, Juan Martin Del Potro, Miami Open, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Wta