CAMELOT FANTASIES

Ok, general hercules, we will be watching that match with interest.  Dolgopolov said he struggled yesterday physically.  I think the Miami humidity and heat makes it difficult for him and his condition.  Let's hope he recovers well and is able to play his best.  Spartan Stan will be looking to up his level a bit, and get himself in better form going into the clay season.  But his primary goal for the rest of the year is Davis Cup.

Here today's Men's Singles Round 16 lineup:

Stadium Start 11:00 am

[16] Tommy Robredo (ESP) v [2] Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Not Before 1:00 pm

[6] Andy Murray (GBR) v [11] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

[5] Roger Federer (SUI) v [9] Richard Gasquet (FRA)

Not Before 9:00 pm

[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) v [14] Fabio Fognini (ITA)

Grandstand Start 11:00 am

[20] Kei Nishikori (JPN) v [4] David Ferrer (ESP)

Not Before 12:30 pm

[3] Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) v [22] Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR)

[12] Milos Raonic (CAN) v [LL] Benjamin Becker (GER)

[10] John Isner (USA) v [7] Tomas Berdych (CZE)

I think the Isner-Berdych match will be the closest match, which is not surprising given their respective seedings.  This could go either way.  Isner leads their head to head on hard courts, 2-1, both wins in the USA, though Berdych leads 3-2 overall.  In another USA hard court match, I'm going to go with Big John Isner in a slight upset.

Normally, Murray-Tsonga would not be in doubt, as Murray has an 8-1 head to head advantage, but neither player's recent form is anything to write home about.  Murray hasn't beaten a top 20 player since Wimbledon, but I don't think Tsonga has been playing top 20 tennis.  This is Murray's home away from home, he trains here, I think he will up his level enough to get by Tsonga, unless Tsonga's form returns out of nowhere.

The way the other favorites have been playing, I can't see any other upsets.    Fognini-Nadal?  Fognini has the talent, but not the consistency.   It wouldn't shock me to see Fognini win, but I don't see it happening.

Unless Djokovic's form has gone off significantly, perhaps due to only having to play 1 match so far with his walkover, I can't see Robredo beating him.

Respectfully,
masterclass