RICKY DIMON REPORTS ON TENNIS FROM THE MIAMI OPEN AS ROGER FEDERER WITHDRAWS AND J.M. DEL POTRO FALLS TO “LUCKY LOSER” ZEBALLOS

Written by: on 25th March 2016
Miami Open tennis tournament
RICKY DIMON REPORTS ON TENNIS FROM THE MIAMI OPEN AS ROGER FEDERER WITHDRAWS AND J.M. DEL POTRO FALLS TO "LUCKY LOSER" ZEBALLOS

epa05231104 Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in action against Horacio Zeballos of Argentina during a match at the Miami Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida, USA, 25 March 2016. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER  |

There was no rematch of the 2009 U.S. Open final on Friday at the Miami Open. The highly-anticipated showdown between Roger Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro did not come to fruition because Federer withdrew early in the afternoon due to illness. Gastroenteritis was the official reason for the former world No. 1’s absence.

 

Federer took the practice court for a light warmup with coach Ivan Ljubicic around noon, hitting a few balls and working on some serves. He left after 30 minutes without signing any autographs. Speculation ran rampant that something was amiss with the Swiss, who had been set to make his first appearance since the Australian Open. A knee injury had sidelined Federer for all of February and from Indian Wells.

 

Lucky loser Horacio Zeballos took Federer’s place, resulting in an all-Argentine affair with Del Potro. Despite suddenly staring at a much more favorable draw, Del Potro could not take advantage. Still experiencing pain in his left wrist, the 27-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 21 minutes.

 

Zeballos completely dominated on serve, surrendering only nine points in 10 service games. One break in each set was enough for the world No. 112, and the second came with Del Potro trying to stay in the match at 4-5 in the second. A shanked overhead by Del Potro brought up match point and he sent a forehand just past the baseline to end it.

Horacio Zeballos of Argentina in action against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina during a match at the Miami Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne, Miami, Florida, USA, 25 March 2016. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER

 

“I was suffering a little bit,” he admitted. “It was worse than my first match, but I hope nothing dangerous. I will see what’s going on after today and see if I can practice tomorrow–if I can hit again [a] backhand.

 

“They said before this is a long road to get better; not to play well or to win matches, just to get better and to play tennis again. I’m looking forward for that. For me it’s like surprise when I win a match in this moment because I’m not 100 percent yet. But I’m here. Of course I’m suffering in moments, but I’m playing tennis–bad or really bad, but I’m playing. That’s good for me.”

 

What’s not good for the tournament is the early exits of Federer and Del Potro. The third-round matchup in that section of the draw is now Zeballos vs. Fernando Verdasco. Verdasco advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 defeat of Jeremy Chardy.

 

Other winners on Friday were Dominic Thiem, Steve Johnson, Benoit Paire, Marin Cilic, David Ferrer, Gilles Simon, and David Goffin. Tomas Berdych advanced via a walkover from Rajeev Ram.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

 

Editors Note: A “Lucky Loser” is a player that lost in the qualifying round. Also referred to as “Qualies”. The player who went the furthest but still lost sticks around the event with the hopes of some other players misfortune. They arrive early everyday. Sign in with the officials. Practice and wait and hope. Today was Zeballos Lucky Day!

Roger we hope you feel better soon. Great effort coming back on tour so soon.

Re: Del Po it’s sad but we think this was his last comeback. That or learn a one handed backhand….

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