Miami Tennis 2016: Draw, TV Schedule, Preview As Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray Compete For Masters 1000 Title
The world’s top players will get another chance to try and halt Novak Djokovic’s relentless dominance when the Miami Open gets underway this week. Fresh from 11 titles in 2015, the World No. 1 has already claimed three tournament wins this year, most recently strolling to the title in Indian Wells last week.
Djokovic won 10 consecutive sets in the California desert, including convincing wins over Rafael Nadal in the semifinals and Milos Raonic in the final, to claim a record fifth title at the Masters 1000 event. In Miami, he will be looking to make more history. A victory would give him three consecutive Miami titles and six overall, equaling records held by American great Andre Agassi. Currently level on 27 with Rafael Nadal, lifting the trophy would also put him first all-time for most Masters 1000 titles.
But the Serbian will have fresh competition in Florida in the form of Roger Federer. The 17-time Grand Slam champion has been off the tour since undergoing knee surgery at the start of February, just days after losing the Australian Open final to Djokovic.
And the draw has set up the prospect of a semifinal meeting between the pair that has contested the last three Grand Slam finals. Both will have some work to do before they reach that point, however. Awaiting Djokovic in the fourth round could be Dominic Thiem, who currently sits fourth in the singles race after already lifting two titles in 2016. Federer, meanwhile, may have to get through the man who beat him in the 2009 U.S. Open final, Juan Martin del Potro, in the second round. The Argentine has only just returned to the tour after a long spell out with a wrist injury.
On the other side of the draw, world No. 2 Andy Murray will be aiming for a big improvement on his efforts in Indian Wells when, in his first tournament since becoming a father, he exited in the third round to Federico Delbonis. And the Argentine could now be a third-round opponent in Miami, although he will have to first get past Grigor Dimitrov, while Murray may be first faced with talented 19-year-old Croatian Borna Coric.
On the same side is Nadal, who will be aiming to build on his confidence-boosting performance at Indian Wells. The Spaniard has endured a hugely disappointing start to 2016, but reached the semifinals last week before bowing out to Djokovic. Seeded No. 5 in Miami, though, his path to the semifinals and a possible meeting with Murray is far from straightforward. Raonic is a potential fourth-round opponent, if he recovers from the abductor injury that hampered him against Djokovic. Fourth seed Stan Wawrinka could then await in the quarterfinals.
All of the 32 seeds will receive first-round byes in Miami, meaning they won’t get their tournaments underway until Friday and Saturday. First-round men's action begins Wednesday.
Miami Tennis schedule (all times EDT)
Wednesday, March 23
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: First round, Tennis Channel
Thursday, March 24
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: First round, Tennis Channel
Friday, March 25
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Second round, Tennis Channel
Saturday, March 26
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Second round, Tennis Channel
Sunday, March 27
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Third round, Tennis Channel
Monday, March 28
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Third round, Tennis Channel
Tuesday, March 29
11 a.m.-11 p.m.: Fourth round, Tennis Channel
Wednesday, March 30
1 p.m.-5 p.m, 7 p.m.-11 p.m..: Quarterfinals, ESPN2
Thursday, March 31
1 p.m.-5 p.m, 7 p.m.-11 p.m..: Quarterfinals, ESPN2
Friday, April 1
1 p.m.-3 p.m., 7 p.m.-9 p.m.: Semifinals, ESPN2
Sunday, April 3
1 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Final, ESPN2
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