MIAMI MASTERS THE STORY SO FAR

It’s been as exciting as expected at the Miami Masters this week. In the Mens, we’re down to the last 32. The names in there are probably not the ones everyone was expecting. No sign of Milos Raonic. Dominic Thiem, Kei Nishikori, Alexander Zverev, Stan Wawrinka or Marin Cilic, all of whom were soundly beaten.

Thiem was the first big name to go. I had tipped him to do well after his win at Indian Wells but he couldn’t get past Hurkacz in the second round. Fatigue could well have been a factor as he finished 2 sets poorly having been a break up in both sets.

The big favourites for the tournament – Federer and Djokovic – are still in with every chance and we could still see the pair meet in the final. With the exit of the players mentioned above, their chances of reaching the final increase substantially. Djokovic will play Bautista-Agut in the last 16 while Federer meets Krajinovic in the las 32 later today. Federer still faces some tricky encounters, possibly against Medvedev and Anderson before the semi final stage. He will need to stay on his game. It doesn’t get easier for Djoko either who barely got past Delbonis in his last 32 clash. Kyle Edmund or John Isner await him in the quarter final and possibly Coric/Kyrgios in the semi final.  Kyrgios is playing very well despite the usual distractions.

Overall, we have an open tournament. My initial prediction was a Thiem/Federer final with Federer to win. I’m still going with Federer to win but predicting who he will play is tricky. Djoko looks a bit off. I believe he will fall, possibly even in the next round. After that, it becomes a bit of a lottery.

Whatever happens, it will be brilliant to watch.